A story I had to write for school

                   The Greatest Gift of All
                            By Jacqueline Anne Malone
                                                                           8-17-11
All my life I have been poor. From the day I left the hospital, till now, and probably till I move out and find a job. Every Christmas would come, and I would get very little. A book some coins, and if I am lucky a few pieces of candy. When I started school the kids made fun of my clothes. They were either too short, too dirty, or ragged. My notebooks were used, so were my pencils. I remember looking at the girls dresses, and ribbons, thinking of how much I wanted to be like them. But my wish never came true.
Everyday I would come home just the same, the same small dinner, same family time, and then the same bed I shared with my sisters. Don’t get me wrong I loved my family. Even though my mother and father were exhausted at night, we still had our family devotions and prayer. My mother always had a smile on her face, that’s what I love most about her. My father always encouraged me to go for my dreams. We were a happy family, always looked on the bright side. Well, most of the time. When 5^th grade came around I was as nervous as ever. My mother had been saving money for a long time and we could finally buy some new school clothes. Well, almost new.
I had walked into class that day so proud of myself. I thought I look beautiful. We had taken an old dress that still had some pretty colors in it, and made ribbons. It was such a pretty pink, and it matched me so perfectly. I walked into class that day, proud and happy. But one girl looked at me and everything changed. She turned my way and laughed. She said that she had donated the dress I was wearing. It was the same dress she donated. Of all the dresses! I was so embarrassed. The girls didn’t stop picking on me until the end of the week.
I would come home and cry myself to sleep. One day, as I came inside my house something was different. It was only mother. Usually my sisters were home, and father shortly after them. But it was only mother. When mother finally noticed me, she told me to sit down. I cautiously sat down wondering what was gong on. She cleared her throat and began, "Sweetie how have you been?" I thought this was a silly question, so I answered,
"Good, I have been good...why?" My mother smiled and said,
"Really sweetie, nothing has been bothering you?"
Then I realized what she meant by "good". "Oh," I said, "well, I have been okay."
"Okay? Why just okay?" I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, and my palms start to sweat. I couldn’t tell mother what had happened at school! She would be so embarrassed. I would hate to do that to my mother. But she kept persisting, so I finally told her all about what happened at school. The next thing I new I was in her arms crying. I was just so sad that they picked on me. I thought I looked so beautiful! With the ruffles in the skirt, and the lace! Oh, the lace gave it a perfect touch. But they picked on me. Called me names! My mother just held me and rocked me for a while, until I had calmed down. Then she spoke.
"Hannah, what those girls did to you was very mean. They should have never done that to you. Now I know we don’t have a lot, and a lot of those girls at school do. But you must remember to count your blessings. Those girls were very selfish weren’t they." I tried to protest, but then I thought. You know what? They were. I remember how they always fought over candy if someone ever brought any. I remember how they used to complain about not having the newest doll, or dress.
"Even though it may not seem like it, you have been blessed very much, sweetheart." My mother said
"How?" I cried. "How have I been blessed more than them?" Have you seen their dress? Have you seen their houses, cars, and dolls?" My mother smiled,
"Because, they care only about objects. They don’t care about true joy, or true blessings. Look around you child, yes we are poor but we are happy. We always spend time together, and God has blessed us with three beautiful daughters. God has blessed you with so much, you just have to realize it."
From that day I looked at the world differently. I didn’t compare my dresses to the other girls. I didn’t complain about my Christmas’s or birthday presents. Instead I counted my blessings. I thanked God every day for what He has blessed me with. Even if it is not blessings I can touch, I am thankful to have them. I am thankful for blessings like joy, peace, and love. I am thankful for the breath I breathe. Small yet wonderful things like that. I am so thankful now, that the rude remarks at school, or the stares I get don’t bother me anymore. Instead I notice how God has blessed me that very moment, then I smile and enjoy the day God has blessed me with.