This week’s edition of Make it a Splendid Week is an invitation to reflect on an unexpected year. Adison’s painting and Ramanika’s creative writing piece offer a rather blunt recognition of a less than ideal reality, coupled with wisdom, grit, and hope. Make it a Splendid Week! And, Make it a Splendid New Year!

While this year may not have developed as many had hoped or dreamed, we share two quotes from these young artists to offer additional perspective. Adison’s artist comment to the piece Untitled is, “This disease will be a small part of my BIGGER story…stay tuned!” And Ramanika’s closing sentence in the creative writing piece 2020 is, “I’m gonna have to get used to it anyway, because that’s what you do when you grow up.”

Write a Postcard from the Road to Adison, by clicking here. Adison’s artwork is No. 115

2020

Twenty Twenty
Two numbers that are the same
A new year, a year to get healthy
A year to accomplish fifth grade.

The last year in elementary
Then middle school-
I’ll switch classes for every single subject
which means a lot of walking across the halls.

I’ll say “hello” “hi” “have a nice day”
“what’s the answer to the question 16 on the math test?”
I’ll be squished and scared.
I might not make it to class on time.

There’s gum under the desk!
It grosses me out
and it’s funny at the same time.
It’s different than what I’m used to.

I’m gonna have to get used to it anyway
because that’s what you do when you grow up.

-Ramanika, age 10

This entry is a part of our series “Make it a Splendid Week”! Follow along weekly to enjoy excerpts from The Splendid Review, an anthology of poems, short stories and autobiographies written by talented young writers engaged in the Periwinkle Arts In Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers.