Princess Georgia was having a particularly rough night. There was a thunder storm terrorizing the kingdom, and all the lights had gone out! She was also home alone. The King was away traveling, Prince Charming had gone to another village for work, and she had given the castle staff the evening off. The castle was black, and the Princess knew that the Anxiety Monster liked that best.
Princess Georgia tiptoed around her home, her arms stretched out front, finding her way to the kitchen. She had been sure that their supply of candles was kept in a cupboard next to the stove, but she couldn't feel any! The rain outside started thrashing against all the stain-glass windows, louder and louder until she could swear it was really the Anxiety Monster trying to get in! The Princess peeled off her big, poofy gown to keep cool, dropped to the marble floor, and shut her eyes as tight as she could. Then she heard the bell at the front gate ring.
The Princess picked herself up and found her way to the foyer, and peered out the peep hole. There was someone standing on the front stair, with a candle. Or was it some-THING? In the dark, the figure was big, and dark, and lurking! Princess Georgia started to get warm again.
Just then, a huge bolt of lightening lit up the front yard, and Princess Georgia could see that the thing outside, was actually a small girl, in a large hood. and it waved! The Princess pulled open the front door, and waved the person inside. The large hood shook itself off, and smiled.
"Hi! It's scary out there, isn't it?"
"It really is. Do you need shelter?" Princess Georgia asked nervously.
"Oh! No thank you,"she answered politely, as she unbuttoned her coat to reveal a beautiful purple dress, nearly as poofy as Princess Georgia's had been. "My name is Alice...Princess Alice! My family and I just moved into the castle over that hill," she pointed out the front windows. "Once our power went out, I had our driver take me out to make sure all the homes around here had candles, and I couldn't see any in your windows!"
"I was looking for them in our kitchen, but then I got too scared," Princess Georgia answered shyly.
"Well then, this one is for you!" the girl smiled, handing over her lantern.
"Thank you!" Princess Georgia exclaimed. "I'm the only one here right now, so this is a very big help."
"Oh, no! I would stay here with you, but my father wants me home very soon," Prince Alice said. "Wait a minute! Here..." she said, digging into the pretty bag around her shoulder. She handed Princess Georgia a book, with a picture of Labrador god on the front. "It really is quite a funny story. It will keep you company until the lights are back, and everyone else comes home!"
Princess Georgia locked the door when she saw her new neighbor get into her car, and she followed the candle up to her room. She got under her covers and opened the pages of the book. And just like that, the Princess felt safe again, and confident that she would be just fine until everyone got home the next morning. All it took was a little boost from a new friend.
I came across a tweet from the very handsome Channing Tatum. I only started following him, because he often posts current pictures of his handsomeness, but I've noticed that he and his wife (fiance?) also share a lot about charities and important events. Tonight's tweet was about a young girl with terminal cancer, who's newly published Bucket List included becoming a trending topic on Twitter.
At first I just clicked to read more, because the whole idea of that being a young person's dream, was about the cutest thing I'd ever heard. Then I clicked on the link to her blog.
Alice is a 15 year old living in the UK, who has spent the last four years of her life battling cancer. Besides the fact that just imagining an 11 year old being diagnosed that way is gut-wrenching, the light, and joy that lace through her typings, are even more shocking.
I may have spent the last four years of my life fighting too, but neither my stomach issues, or my Acute Anxiety diagnosis are terminal. Of course my illnesses make me cry, and feel depressed, and angry, but they won't kill me! I have spent (accumulated) ages on my bathroom floor feeling robbed, and defeated...and then you stumble onto a story like Alice's.
It's hard to imagine a 15 year old openly accepting the fact that not only will all her life's aspirations be achievable (her illness leaves her not allowed to travel), but that she will also never win this fight that she is so gallantly fighting.
I would really appreciate it if you would click the link bellow, and check in on her stories and her progress from time to time. And if you have Twitter, be sure to post a tweet with #alicesbucketlist She makes it very clear that she and her family are not looking for donations, or pity. She started this blog to keep their friends and family posted as she goes through treatment, and chicks things off her list...and now she is touching, and inspiring people all over the world.
Princess Georgia is inspired. And SO thankful for her new neighbor :)
http://alicepyne.blogspot.com/
