The Sweet Smell of Friendship | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: The Sweet Smell of Friendship | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Powers
10/13/15
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Pink.
Purple.
Blue
Green.
Orange.
Yellow.
Red.

(OK: they’re all separated by colors; I’m ready.)

I guess doing this seems pretty silly. But, of all the things I’ve done to fit in before; at all the other schools I’ve attended; this ranks pretty low on the “silly” scale.

(First, fold one of the wrappers into thirds)

Wow, this wrapper is still pretty sticky – and the smell of the candy seems like it has permanently moved into my room. But this looks like an easy thing to do, so why I may as well try.

(Fold the strip in half, again.)

It’s just that: being a “preacher’s kid” isn’t exactly a one-way ticket to popularity, you know? Everyone either assumes I’m Little Miss Holy and they don’t want me to know they’re not perfect (as if I am!) or they have their eyes peeled for any mistake I’ll make so they can talk about how I’m Not A Good Example.

(Now, fold the thin strip like a “vee”.)

My dad is the new preacher this town’s Baptist Church. So far, I like the town – and our house is nice, too. The kids at school seem friendly - and I’d really, REALLY like to be considered just for who I am – instead of first being seen as “Juliethepreacher’sdaughter”.

(Take the ends and fold them both into the middle of the “vee” shape.)

I love Dad, and I think it’s awesome that he’s a pastor. I’m proud of him. But, in the past, I’ll admit: it has made it hard to find friends. Sometimes, people seem to avoid me just because they can’t look past my Dad’s job to find out what I might be really like.

(Keep making the same folds with all the other wrappers. Take each new, folded wrapper and push the folded ends into the nonfolded end of another wrapper – and hook the folds of wrapper “A” over the nonfolded end of wrapper “B”.)

In my last school, it was all about hairstyles. You had to have a professional-looking cut – but Mom thinks beauty parlors are a waste of money. Her idea of a haircut is whipping out the salad bowl and getting out her scissors. I love Mom, too, but that didn’t make me Miss Popularity.

(Just keep on hooking all the wrappers up, together, into a chain.)
In the school before that; it was all about wearing expensive sneakers. Good old Mom decided THOSE are “a waste of money”, too; my older sister Debbie’s slightly used pair was what Friendless Julie wore.

(Hey, this is kind of pretty! The video says the colors don’t have to be in any order, but I think that following a pattern makes it look prettier.)

When we moved here, I looked around carefully, at school. I saw most of the girls wearing these necklaces and bracelets - and then, last week, I saw a bunch of the girls making them in study hall. I listened until I figured out they’d gotten the instructions on You Tube. I used my allowance to buy the candies - and even shared some with Debbie.

(Just keep folding them and linking them together. It’s almost done!)

So, maybe this time I’ll have a chance. If I finish and wear this silly thing, maybe someone will think I belong – at least for long enough to get to know me for who I really am. Just a few friends, Lord: That’s all I’m praying for.

(It’s done! Hallelujah! I'm ready for school!)

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For a video on how to make “Starburst” wrapper bracelets, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdQGIJNvXjQ

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