My largely unsystematic study of juvenile fiction has led me to the conclusion that seventh grade is the year nearly universally portrayed as the most difficult. It's easy to see why. Sexual development can be challenging for both early and late developers. Academic responsibilities ramp up. Even long term close friendships can be strained as people develop different goals and interests. And emotions can be more volatile and confusing than ever. If family change is added to the volatile mix life can feel overwhelming.
Keiko, Jenna, and Audrey are long term besties. Jenna has been away for the summer, visiting her now divorced father. They're finally reuniting just before the start of seventh grade. Keiko is sure things will back to normal. Together they will join new clubs, explore new horizons, maybe begin dating...
...not quite. Jenna has been texting with a boy Audrey has decided is hers. Things go south rapidly when Audrey tells Jenna to cease and desist and Jenna refuses. Pretty soon the two girls aren't speaking to each other and Audrey is pressuring Keiko to take her side.
Keiko would like to get some advice from her mother. But home is another place where too much seems to be changing. Her mother has moved up to full time work. She's also writing her first grant proposal which necessitates her being away even more. Her absences are taking a toll on the family. Keiko wonders if that's how it started with Jenna's family.
Keiko is very conflict aversive. She'll do whatever she must to restore harmony, feeling it her duty. But what if she can't with either her friends or her family?
On a purrrsonal note, in the larger scheme of things I'm sure it's not up there with the discovery of penicillin or open heart surgery; but I'm loving sugar free ice cream. Since I embarked on the diet from Hell last summer ice cream is one of the foods I've missed the most. A few weeks ago my friend, Bailey, brought some to the Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund potluck. Then this week Eugene brought some home. I think it's delicious 😋 😍. He disagrees. He says I can have regular ice cream 🍦. Technically I can. Realistically I can't. Diet compliance is one of the ways I can remain physically healthy and cognitively competent, stay actively engaged in and really enjoy life, and be around for my family including precious Tobago and my many friends as long as possible. I'm willing to forgo favorite foods in service of this greater good. But I greatly appreciate them being diet compliant.
A great big shout out goes out to all the scientists who are discovering how to produce the safe versions of favorite foods for those of us on medically restricted diets.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
