Spring was dressed in a green coat with white, yellow, and pink flowers. Spring took birds in its hand and released them to the sky. Then, Spring rose on the wings of the wind and brought out the sun in the sky. Spring opened windows and invited us to play. Happiness is everywhere. Rebirth along with it. Children filled the paths in the park, pedaling tricycles, bicycles, scooters. Children bounded like lambs in the field, enjoying the warm breath of the wind.
Only one girl was sitting on a bench beside her grandmother with a sad smile. She was writing something in a notebook. She was writing, smiling, and taking her large glasses off to quietly wipe her tears. She often dropped her notebook, picked it up and hugged it like a treasure.
I was painting. I was trying to capture the joy of the park. Suddenly, a group of agitated people gathered around the girl who was writing. She was tearing up. She disappeared into a group of white robes.
Nobody noticed her notebook found near the bench. The wind rustled the little pages, calling me to pick it up. It was a treasure for that girl. I went with the thought to look for her and give it back. I read on the cover: simply written „Diary of a child.” Her name did not appear on the cover or on the fi rst page. In order to return the book, I have to know to whom it belongs to. I could only fi nd out by reading.
September 24
I am celebrating my 10th birthday. My parents organized a party for me. I invited my classmates. I love them all, even those who were mad at me when my teacher sat me in the first bench because
I have a vision impairment. I understand them, but what about them, do they understand me? Today, I am happy. Not everyone has come, but I am enjoying every moment spent with them. How happy I was to run through the garden filled with games. Today, I was a real princess. Yes, a princess! Oh how good I felt! What I would give for my birthday to be every day!
October 12
I like to read. I forget everything when I open a book. I have finished „Hemmingway” I wish I would have never finished it. It’s wonderful to think that there is goodness, faith and love gathered in one heart. The book had an impression on me...It made me think of myself! May I never complain about anything ever again.
October 25
Today I went to the eye doctor. They don’t say anything to me, other than reading the letters and figures given by the doctor. Everyone always smiles and says sweet things...My head was hurting, so I changed my glasses. Now it seems to be better. I don’t like the new frames nor the drops that have to be put in my eyes. What would happen if we do only what we love?
November 5
I hate when I am called „four-eyes.” I have a name, Simina. I consider it very nice. You see the one with „four-eyes?” Or „four-eyes!” . I’m afraid that eventually everyone will call me „four-eyes.” What if we all called each other: tall one, curly, smiley, and so on, would we no longer need first and last names? This would be unfortunate because they are so beautiful!
November 15
It snowed. My sick eyes enjoyed the white beauty. Small stars melted in my warm hands. Oh, God cries with tears of ice. Take care of me and let me lap up the beauty of this winter dream.
December 20
Today I was so happy, I could almost burst. The teacher brought the magazine, „Innocence”. I was participating in a contest with an essay. I cannot bring myself to believe that I, Simina Sandu, took fi rst place. I am glowing with happiness. The only thing that would bring me more happiness ...my eyes... But I’m too small to have the power to control something so big.
January 26
I’m afraid. I took my journal. I write less often ... I am sad! I would like to cry. The winter smiles at me with snowflakes.
March 15
How happy the children are... the wind caresses my brunette hair... I would like to capture a portion of the blue sky ... a white petal from May flowers, a blade of green grass ... and keep them in the light of darkness ... I would like have the opportunity to talk to girl who paints and tell her...!”.
I had to find her, to know what happened to her. I returned often to the park hoping to at least see her grandmother on bench.
But the days passed, my life followed its course without regard to my search. I know that she loves this park because here she finds the peace and quiet she needs. Until then, I’ll have my dear friends by my side…canvas, pencils, and colors.
And... here she is... it’s Simina ... unsteadily she walks along the alley arm in arm with her grandmother. A dog runs through a group of bicycles and children. She wore a dress the color of the sea. A cheerful hat sat atop of her black hair. My eyes were drawn to the tinted glasses that take the place of the glasses that she wore the first time I saw her.. They sat down on the same bench. Grandma carefully arranged her dress on her knees.
I approached her, full of shyness.
- Hello! Forgive my boldness. I ... and my words flowed uncertain and awkward, having difficulty finding the way to this girl’s heart. I put the journal on her lap ... she took it, touch it and brought it to her chest, smiling.
- My dear friend! How I have missed you! ... She waited a few minutes, and then handed it to me, saying:
- It would bring me great pleasure to write more through your eyes. Then I understood that the girl Simina who had become my best friend, lost her sight. I found answers to many questions: why was she now wearing dark glasses? Why was she accompanied by her grandmother, and especially the last journal entry. Little by little we became inseparable. Long summer days offered us walks and get-togethers with her former classmates. Her musical voice charmed us when she was gently touching the Braille written on her paper. And she helped me to do the best paintings. She was swimming in happiness.
Exercise
Discover the meaning of the senteces from the last day of her journel. What do you think Simina would write if she wrote more?
Did you know...
Attention and memory are strengths of the blind. Attention is relatively well developed, which helps in language development. Due to constant use, people with visual impairments usually have a good memory.
Visually impaired people are helped and specially trained dogs for protection and guidance. In big cities in the country, traffic, traffic lights are adjusted with sound stimulation for the blind.
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