For One More Day

I thought you would all enjoy a story I wrote in 6th grade, after my 12th birthday. It is very dear to me and I hope you enjoy it.



FOR ONE MORE DAY
By: Daniela Joel


If life granted you one more day, what would you do? I know what I would do. I would spend the day with my dad, an astounding, stimulating person. Alas, he died two years ago. If you have ever lost a loved one, you would know that your heart is constantly filled with curiosity. But that curiosity leads to a person you never knew. That person will unleash a strong little flame inside of you that is going to grow and make wonderful, new things that will help exceed who you are. With all the nurturing that flame is going to experience it will grow, and grow, and grow. In time, instead of that heart full of curiosity and anger, it becomes a heart full of acceptance and understanding.
Have you ever wanted to ask a question you knew could never be answered? Well I have too. That question was why do people that love you so much, leave you so soon with out a goodbye. I asked God so many times. He never answered me until one day, one remarkable day. He told me he needed someone special. As the words “someone special” echoed in my head, I thought about those oh so fragile words. Every girl says her dad is special. Mine really was. People always ask me why I think this, I just smiled and finally said the words I’ve been waiting to say, I don’t think, I know. My Guardian Angel told me so.
My dad had curly, dark brown hair and shadowy brown eyes that sparkled every time he smiled. He had wide broad shoulders and long arms that could once lift me up and rap around me like a warm, soft blanket, with hands that connect the soft finger tips that could once hold me like a cup when I was just born. It’s hard to believe that the baby that had blonde hair and sky blue eyes is now my dad with the big brown eyes and curly black hair.

Over all, some of the best times of my life were spent with my dad. Like the time I signed my first “autograph” when I was about seven years old. Or the time when he would tickle me, when I was mad at him, until I would forgive him. Some kids don’t realize that the soft, tender touch of your dad could mean the whole world to you if it was gone in just a swift motion of the blink of your eye. This man in that picture was a goofy, sensitive, tender, and loving kind of person. He never gave up. He was my dad. What he most treasured is what he wanted, and what he wanted is what he got. I was his only daughter. He wanted me. He got me.
For one more day…he could have me. He could rap his long arms around me once again. He could look at me one more time with those big brown eyes and say I’ll never leave you again. For one more day…this is what I got. When I hear the whisper of his love and feel the wind blowing on my face, I could hear him, and somewhat distinguish him reaching with those long, soft arms and big brown eyes. He said with a radiant smile, “I will never leave you.”




Love. Daniela

All I have to say is Thank You God!

God has blessed me with so many wonderful things. Living, getting better, most importantly, wonderful people who love and care for me. Today I truly was ultimately blessed. My day was made today when Justin Bieber came to my house and serenaded me. For those of you who don't know who he is, he is an incredibly talented, new singer. I'm 100% positive he is going to be famous and go very far. Not only is he incredibly talented, he is incredibly sweet and nice. I have adored him ever since his first single came out. I know that Usher is a huge fan of him. I am a very very lucky girl and am so incredibly thankful for this day and the events that were brought to me. Now my "Pray for Daniela Bracelet" will be worn by him. I am so thankful for everyone who was apart of this miraculous day!

Love, Daniela

Impossibility

I absolutely love proving people wrong!! That's why I like Math, I love proving things. Today I lifted my knee up, which means, with lot's of practice, I'll soon be able to walk!!

"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do" - Unknown

That is my new life motto. It's really amazing to prove the impossible or the impossibilities of the only human mind. Today, I really felt like a normal, teenage girl. I giggled and laughed with my best friend, Corry. I'm starting to be the sassy, sweet girl that I have always been and always will be.=)

Love, Daniela

Q and A

1) I honestly don't remember what motivated me to start tennis, I was so young. Barely even 2. But as far as who influenced me, it was probably my parents. I was very good at a young age. It felt very good because I loved playing with the older kids and trying to beat them. Like I said, I love a challenge. Winning tournaments was amazing, especially my first. To me, winning the tournaments, was like a natural high. It just made you feel good.

2) Music definitely I was pushed into but loved it right away. My father influenced me the most as he was my first teacher. As a lot of you know, I sang and played the piano at my dad's funeral. I also wrote him a poem, if you'd like me to post it please let me know. I don't even know how I maintained my composure, it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I know the second I got of the stage, I lost it. It effected my life big time because there was school and I just moved up in tennis to a higher group. Not to mention it was right after my 9th birthday.

3) If you know me, you know that I absolutely love a good book. One of my favorites is the Twilight Saga and Harry Potter. I love them because I love living in a different world and reading those, it was definitely a fantasy trip. Right now I am reading The Lightning Thief, recommended by my doctor who as well loves books, I am not yet far into it, but so far its a very good book.

4) I love the people that are in my life. My mom always with me and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my coaches they have been so supportive. My therapists are amazing though I'm not working with them at the moment, they always find time to visit. My friends go out of their way to keep me entertained. My family has been absolutely amazing. Seriously if I were to thank everybody, I would literally have to write a book.

There's a little bio of my life! I hope you learned a little more about me.

Love, Daniela

Things Will Get Better.

THINGS WILL GET BETTER
When things aren’t going well for you
And times aren’t what they should be,
Just focus on the positive
And think of what could be.

Acknowledge what has happened.
Don’t lose sight of lessons past.
But don’t allow the negative
Distracting thoughts to last.

Take what you’ve learned
And start from there.
Draw strength from your frustration.
And let this added sense of purpose
Be your new foundation.

It’s hard to follow any plan
Precisely to the letter.
Though life right now is difficult,
Things will in time get better.

My mom found this amazing poem while cleaning out our basement. It is like it was written for me! I really don't have much to say about this poem because it really says it all. I hope you enjoy it.

Love, Daniela

Gift

Today my mom received a package for her birthday from me! Well she opened it...grr. But anyways it was a little plaque that says "Every day holds the possibility of a miracle." Story of my life, ha. I wanted my mom to always remember that no matter what happens. I want her to always have faith. It's very important to me that she realizes that. Because without miracles I wouldn't be alive. None of us would. We were all born somehow and that's a huge miracle right there.=)

Facebook Friends

Today I am blogging twice. Thank you for the people who have befriended me on Facebook. I just want to say if you add me, please write a little note so I know who you are and not so random person.

Love, Daniela

Group

Today I started a group on Facebook. It can be found by typing in the search box, team Daniela. Again everyone tell your friends!

Yesterday, I did write a blog, a very long one I might add, but I didn't post it. Yesterday I was a little upset because everyone was asking me who my new teacher was for 8th grade. But I am not upset anymore because I've realized that yes, I'm going to miss my my friends but I have a really cool teacher for my school and I'm very happy to have her. I'll have my time for my first day of school too.=)
I actually am very excited for school to start, I'll have something to do during the day, and finishing homework will give me that accomplished feeling I used to have.

I do want to point out that the point of my blog yesterday was the fact that I question and wonder about every event in my life but I wouldn't ever change them. I am who I am because of these things and I am so very content with myself.

By the way my mothers' birthday is Monday but I'll be in the hospital with her receiving treatment.=(

Love, Daniela

Months

As most of you know, there will be many many more months of hard work ahead of me. But they are all going to be very difficult.

"December is the most toughest of months. Others are July, January, September, November, May, March, June, October, August, and February."-Mark Twain

Everyday is a struggle no matter what condition your in. It's how you face it that's going to make the difference.

I am starting to really feel like a normal teenager again. Before, I really had no emotion that I had before I was diagnosed. If you have a Facebook you should add me as a friend! There is a group that I have just joined and I encourage everyone else to. The cause is based on 'Curing Diffused Intrinsic Pontine Glioma". This is the kind of tumor I have and right now there is no cure. It is a nasty tumor that rips away the lives of kids under 10 and I am a rare situation. The best way to help is to tell friends and family and hopefully someone with the ability to discover a cure gets notified.

Love, Daniela

Grrr...

Today I don't know what to say. I have writers block and its very frustrating. I did not have a very good weekend. Every weekend, I have to take an antibiotic to prevent pneumonia, well this weekend it did not want to be in my tummy. Oh I had the worst time. I was so nauseated. Anyways that's why I did not write last night.


Today my Physical Therapist stopped by. I had fun showing him all the new things I can do. The greatest day of my life will be when I walk to my doctors appointment. As someone very wise(whom I do not know)said "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." I hope you've noticed how feisty and determined I am. Although these characteristics were very subtle before, they've always been there and always will.

Oh! I forgot to tell you! Today my brother came back from tennis camp with a little earache. Well he'd been swimming so my mom thought "swimmers ear". Oh boy was she wrong. I used to get swimmers ear a lot, so we had these drops. My mom put one drop in his ear and I thought someone was being murdered. My little drama "king" screamed that loud! But I didn't remember the drops being painful? He even demanded we call 911. We took him to the doctor and turns out he had a ruptured eardrum that needed to be drained. Anyways when he came back like a horse, I had to laugh at myself for being so worried.=D

Fear Nothing.

A certain someone has graciously taught me to fear absolutely nothing. This person has been through so much and to be the person that she is today is remarkable. What a wonderful role model. I have great gratitude for her and someday hope to be like her. Fearing nothing is exactly what someone in my position should be doing. Instead of putting my energy into being scared, I have to put my energy into getting better and working hard to do it.

I don't understand why when you most likely won't make it, doctors tell you. Instead of living your last hours living to the fullest, all your thinking is "Oh my God. I'm going to die." And you stop fighting because you've been told by a "super official doctor" that you're going to die. You start to lose the most important thing-FAITH. It's faith and hope that get you through hard times. Doctors are not God. They are only human. Thank God I was unaware in the hospital and don't remember anything. I am grateful for that.

Love, Daniela

Opportunity

Today I'm having a bit of a down day. I'm just tired but still trying to look on the up side. But I always try to remember this quote.

"In every difficulty there's an opportunity." -Albert Einstein

Last night I cried and tears came out! I haven't seen my tears since before I was diagnosed because of the tumor. I love my brother to death but sometimes he gets mean. He gets tired and cranky but I wonder what it would be like if every time I got tired I got cranky. I would probably always be cranky. To me it's not really an excuse to be bratty, not saying that I don't get cranky. I do. It's normal. But I guess what I'm trying to say is that when your having a day more difficult then usual, try and find the upsides. It'll really help your day go by.

Love, Daniela

Competitiveness and Dedication

"Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win." - Bernadette Devlin

It's like one of my tennis tournaments. You don't go just to play. You go to win! Like me, I'm fighting, not to lose, but to win! I've always been very competitive and this is just another tournament as my Coach Ashley said. He also said "Pain engages the brain." And honestly I thought he was crazy to think that until now. He was right and I'm sorry I didn't listen to that sooner.


I am so thankful to have my mom as my "nurse." She has been there for me through everything and it makes us closer.=) A day never goes by that I don't thank God for having her in my life. She's a beautiful, strong, independent woman and I'm proud to have her as my mom.=) I've learned everything from her and she continues to amaze me.

Love, Daniela

Purpose

"For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace." - Ecclesiastes

I told my mom this morning that I don't think God intended for me to die. I am here to do this. To inspire people and keep them going.

People can't believe either that I am only 13. Well heres a quote to explain that.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life but the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

I have not lived the life most teens have. Therefore I am not like most teens. Though these events have been unfortunate, I am very lucky to have learned these lessons.

Love, Daniela

Adventure.

My life is an adventure. Although unfortunately things have happened that I'm not so crazy about.
I'd like to share with you a couple quotes that I find very motivational and helpful.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -Helen Keller

I have learned that every event in my life is not unfortunate but an extra bump to make me stronger. An adventure. I have learned to not be angry at these "adventures" but instead to take them with a grain of salt, re-find my "path to happiness," and move on.

Which brings me to the next quote.

"Happiness is not a matter of events, it depends upon the tides of the mind." -Alice Meynell

Very true. When you think positive, the outcome is most likely going to be positive.

People always ask me if I'm angry at God. My answer is ofcourse not. I'm not going to turn in to one of those bitter, old ladies who are the way they are because there always blaming someone, and it always starts with blaming God. I am a very happy person and by all means have no one to blame for this. It is a challenge and I'm always up for a challenge. =)

Love, Daniela

Happy =)

Today I went to chemo and I think the doctor was very pleased with what she saw.

Before I was diagnosed, I was extremely depressed. I also was having severe anxiety. I even called my best friend in the middle of the night. Now, I'm starting to feel happy again. Its been so long since I've felt this way that I almost forgot what it feels like. Here is a quote that relates to my life perfectly.

"Our minds are as different as our faces: we are all traveling to one destination;--happiness; but few are traveling by the same road." -Charles Caleb Colton

We all have our paths to happiness, but we have to find out how to get there.

Love, Daniela

Time...?

Being the person I am and all the things I've been through, I am fully aware what time is, and how precious it is. This quote says it all.

"Time is like a river...you cannot touch the same water twice,because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life." -Unknown

Our life goes by in the blink of an eye. All we worry about is work, money,...etc. We never take the time to cherish and savor each moment. Having a glimpse of death has made me realize that life can be taken away just like that. Knowing that, I have a greater appreciation for my mom and people who choose to give their precious time to me. Wether it's thinking about me, spending time with me, or praying for me, you are spending time to do it and for that I thank you.
Live, Laugh, Love.

Love Daniela

What a day!

This morning started with a few beautiful quotes my friend Corry shared with me.
1. "We all have to get through the storm before we can see the rainbow."-Unknown
2. "We are all just a little piece of blue sky."- My sisters Keeper
3. "People to weak to follow their own dreams always find a way to discourage you." - Unknown

All very true and extremely well put.

Later on I read an amazing book. "Killer" by Sara Shepard, Pretty Little Liars series. Book 7
I would highly recommend the series to anyone who loves teenage gossip and a good murder mystery.
My mom has to lift me to stand, and hold on to me. So today, when she did that, I stood up straight. I was shocked to see I had to look down to see my mom's eyes. Had I grown that much in 7 months??!! My sister was around and she definitely couldn't believe her eyes. Not only was I taller than my mom but i was taller than my sister too! At least by half an inch. For those of you who have never seen my sister in person, she is 5'7.

Now I am going to end my day with a movie with my mom. "Premonition". I could safely say I've been blessed with a wonderful day and wonderful people to share it with!

Love, Daniela

Catch Up...

A few years back, I lost my dad to a heart attack. I truly thought my HUGE life obstacles were done. Little did I know, I was in for a big surprise. Everything about me changed. My personality, looks, and actions. An MRI later showed the ugly face of a tumor. I went through several weeks of radiation. That wasn't working quite well, the next treatment meant a port(a small, round button that leads to a big artery). As I was slowly getting worse, my swallowing took a turn for the worst. Most of what I was consuming was going to my lungs instead of my stomach. I went in for the surgery for the port, expecting to spend 1 night in the hospital. I remember waking up from the surgery and not being able to breath well. That's about it. I was unaware of my surroundings for 7 days. No one expected me to wake up. I was expected to live 12 more hours. I was told my lungs collapsed. That was 3 months ago.=) With the help of my mom I am doing much better. I can't walk, talk, or eat but that will all come back with work as the tumor shrinks! Today my best friend, Corry, came by and brought me nail polish. I felt like my normal self. I am doing a chemo(it does not make my hair fall out) every other week and an oral kind 5 days out of every month. I am going to the hospital Monday for another round of chemo. I try to have as much fun as I can. I love music and books, they help a lot along with my computer.
I appreciate everyone's prayers and I really hope you guys keep it up.

Love, Daniela