The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

When I’m out of sight, I click the watch, and in a swoosh, I’m back on the ski race awards platform. I feel nervous, but mostly I’m glad to see my family again. Their loving and concerned faces give me strength. I tell Coach Stanislav and the judge that I didn’t cheat, and I ask them to let me explain.

Later, at home, I’m in our room changing out of my ski uniform when Emma comes in. She apologizes for letting me down. I apologize, too. I’m afraid I’m going to let her down now. I take a deep breath and tell my sister that I don’t want to be on the ski team anymore. Emma nods sadly. She says she’s not surprised. After today, she wouldn’t blame me for never wanting to do anything with her ever again.

I grin and say that that’s not the reason I’m quitting. In fact, why don’t we team up to make decorations for Thanksgiving dinner coming up. We can make place cards in the shape of turkeys. Emma smiles, and her enthusiasm suddenly reminds me of Maryellen. Maryellen and her family showed me how nice it is to have an arms-wide-open, exuberant attitude. I decide that I need to open my arms, and heart, to Gran, and really get to know her.

I tell Emma I have another idea, too, and I drag her out the door. I poke my head into Gran’s doorway, and say that I was thinking that it’d be nice to invite Daria and her mother to join us for Thanksgiving dinner. We’ll have enough food, and it’ll be fun to include them. They’re Gran’s friends, so we’d like to get to know them.

Gran smiles and says that’s a great idea. She hugs me, and I return the hug. I’ve never seen Gran looking so perky and pleased. Mom and Dad like the idea, too, so while Gran goes off to telephone Daria’s mom, Emma, and I gather up paper for our turkey place cards. We’re already tracing our hands when Gran announces that they’ll be happy to join us for dinner.

I think of Maryellen and her family, and Mr. and Mrs. Winkler, and Scooter and Tinkerbelle, and the turkey legs. The more the merrier.

And then, Gran adds that they’ll be bringing their dog.