When I Grow Up
It was a beautiful sunny day in Chandler, Arizona. More than anything else in the world, Gabriella Aubin Duncan, age 8, wanted to be outside playing with Delaney ,Marlee, Lauren, Shae, Cade, and Nathan. But today was a school day, and Gabriella was in her classroom. "Today, I'd like you to write a report on what you want to be when you grow up," the teacher told the class. "Perhaps some of you will want to become a teacher just like me." Gabriella chewed on her pencil as she thought about the different careers to choose from. "I love music. it might be fun to play the piano or be a dancer when I grow up," thought Gabriella. "It would be great to perform on a stage in front of an audience. Or maybe I could be a painter and work from my own studio." Just then Gabriella remembered a western movie she had seen on TV last night. "Oooh, that would be a great job," said Gabriella quietly to herself. "It would be so much fun--working on a farm, being outdoors all the time, milking the cows, riding horses and roping calves." "Wait a minute," Gabriella suddenly realized. "Maybe I could work in an office on a computer or become an architect and design a cool house for Delaney." Gabriella thought for a moment, "I could even make drawings on a computer." Gabriella started thinking about a job where she could travel all the time. "It would be fun to go anywhere I want," she said very quietly to herself. "I wonder what it would be like to be an engineer on a big, shiny train that goes really fast. Or maybe I could be the conductor who collects all the tickets." All of a sudden, Gabriella started thinking about lunch. She loved to eat. Perhaps it would be fun to be the head chef at a fancy restaurant. "Then I could eat all the food I cooked," thought Gabriella with a smile. "I'll make the best cakes and pies in the world. Maybe I can start out as a waitress." Gabriella looked up from her paper when she heard the sound of a siren coming from outside. That gave Gabriella another idea. "I wonder what it would be like to be a firefighter or a police officer, "Gabriella was thinking. "I'll bet it would be a lot of hard work. But it would be a great way to help people." While Gabriella was thinking about helping people, she had a different idea. "I know!" Gabriella decided. "When I grow up, I'd love to be a doctor or a nurse. I could work in a science lab, and I could make sick people feel better." Gabriella liked that idea best of all. Gabriella looked out the window and saw an airplane flying by. "Maybe I could be an airline pilot or a scuba diver in the military," she thought. Gabriella just couldn't decide what she wanted to be when she grew up! Just then, the bell rang. School was over for the day. "You can finish these reports tomorrow," said the teacher. Gabriella was thinking about all her different choices as she ran all the way home. After hearing about the careers, Gabriella said, "They all sound wonderful. And you've got lots of time before you have to make a final decision. The important thing is to try your very best in school, and learn a lot. Now, come on. It's time for us to play in the park.