Written: June 28, 2004

Better Than Flying

"Wanna hear it? Wanna hear it Piper? Huh? You wanna?"

I leaned closer to the door of my little sisters' bedroom and contemplated entering, like I

had been planning seconds before I heard Phoebe pipe up with her request.

"Sure Phoebe," I heard Piper say, and I decided to stay in the hall and eavesdrop. Phoebe

cleared her throat.

"My name is Phoebe Halliwell and I am seven years old. I go to Cleveland Elementary

School where I am in second grade. My teacher there is Mrs. Parly and she is the one who

wanted me to write this essay. It is supposed to be all about my life.

"I was born on November 2, 1975 in my house. That's special, because my sisters weren't

born in the house. They were born in a hospital. So I am unique." Phoebe stopped reciting and

added, "Did you hear that Piper? I learned that word special for this essay."

"It's a good one. You are unique," Piper told her.

"Thank you," said Phoebe, and I pictured her staring down at the paper again. "I am also

special in my family because I am the youngest. Here is my family.

"We live with my grandmother but we call her Grams. She is very stern and takes care of

me and my sisters. I love Grams, even though she makes me eat all of my peas before I can

leave the table. I don't like peas.

"My mommy and my daddy are both gone and that is why we live with Grams. My

mommy died when I was two and then my daddy went away too. It is very sad. I miss them a

lot, even though I can't remember them so good.

"I also have two sisters. They are both older than me. Prue is twelve and Piper is ten. I

love them a lot, even though I fight with them sometimes. Prue is very smart and she helps take

care of me and Piper. Piper listens to me and helps make me happy when I am sad. They are

good sisters.

"We don't have any pets in our house, but I'd like a frog. My friend Jimmy Hilton has a

frog, and he lets me hold it sometimes when I am playing at his house. I don't think Grams would

like a frog though. So if I ever get one, it might have to be a secret frog.

"I like to read and play games and run around outside. Those are all fun things to do. My

favorite movie is "Cinderella." I watch it a lot. Sometimes my family watches it with me too, but

it's not their favorite movie.

"When I grow up I want to do something exciting, like be a pilot. I have never been on a

plane, but I bet it is a lot of fun to fly. Maybe someday we'll get to go somewhere in a plane.

That is a dream of mine. My other dream, which is much bigger, is that someday I get to see my

mommy again, so I'll be able to remember her. That would be better than flying.

"And that is all about me, Phoebe Halliwell. The end."

There was a long pause and I wondered if Phoebe's essay was having the same effect on

Piper as it was on me. I turned and slumped down so the door was supporting my back. When

Piper finally responded, I didn't even hear what she said.

Who knew a seven-year-old could have such a way with words?