Picture a girl who wants something more. She leaves behind: whirring soccer balls, cups of lemonade picnicked under willow trees, her best friend's knock at the door, the familiar touch of a house cat brushing past her legs, family football Sundays, the taste of grandma's stew and those cotton towels that blanket sharp blades of grass during those long summer days.
With passport in hand, she will escape from the confines of suburbia: the orderly rows of picturesque houses, the plethora of storefronts which tempt the greedy consumer and the residents of the town who grapple with that disconcerting itch. This irritating skin sensation is namely, unhappiness. The residents have settled for monotonous occupations and find distaste with their general state of life. In order to scratch this itch many take part in mean-spirited gossip and find pleasure in the misfortune of others. They busy themselves in order to relieve an aching sense of loneliness and boredom.
Picture a girl who is unlike the others because she believes that happiness is attainable. She rids herself of all should and should haves, and turns a critical gaze inward. Certain questions come to mind: does life amount to endless hours of school and work all aimed to achieve monetary gain? Where is the fun? Where is the excitement? Perhaps she is naive or even idealistic, but at least she can fathom something better (something greater) for her future. Who can tell all of the places and people she has yet to see.
Picture a girl who will find hidden reserves of strength and courage. She will not only discover herself, but the world. Accordingly, she should take comfort in the fact that everyone she knows and loves will patiently be waiting her return.
