DareBase | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: DareBase | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Schnepp
11/26/07
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Have you ever heard of the word "DareBase?"

If you haven't, don't feel bad - you're not alone. I've asked dozens of people and nobody else has heard of it either. One person asked, "Is it make-up?", another said, "Where's it located?", and still another guessed it to be "a porno site on the inter-net."

(D): None of the above

As for Webster, Doubleday and Random House dictionaries, they didn't even make a stab at guessing; the word was unlisted. I couldn't believe my eyes!

How dare they ignore, obliterate, erase, or make extinct a word I know exists? or existed. A word that at one time made this 13 year old girl shudder when it was mentioned. Made life miserable, almost unbearable, with the side effects of pain, hurt, and humiliation. Talk about a real ego-killer, this was it - especially for a young teen.

Yes, I know, or knew the word well; but all the hullabaloo of questioning and searching was simply to get the proper spelling of "DareBase", as to whether it was hyphenated or just one word. (Thanks Google!)

DareBase, for those who didn't know, is/ was a game we played every day during the noon recess at school. Every day and every recess through my entire 7th grade. When I say "we", that means the whole room played, with no exceptions.

The game was played with two Teams, and at the beginning, two Captains would choose up their players by calling one name at a time until all had been called. Since it was a game of running skill, the first ones chosen, of course, were always the speediest runners.

Every day I'd stand with the others, waiting for the names to be called, and every day, like clockwork, I was always the last. They never even called my name, as the last one standing isn't actually chosen...they're just taken by whichever Captain was the last to choose...so he just moreorless got the leftovers, which was always me.

Unless you've been there, or stood there, you'll never know how it hurts, the humiliation and pain as you wait and hope. You know what's going to happen, so you nonchalantly look around, then down at the ground, push the dirt around with the toe of your shoe and act indifferent, even though inside you're feeling sick... but you wait...until once more you're standing all alone.

My self esteem was below zero during my entire 7th grade...when outside. But inside the schoolroom, I could hold my own with readin', ritin' and rithmitic.

If only somebody had told me about God's wonderful Gifts of love that He bestowed on each and every one of His children born on Earth. Explained to me that God gives some the gift of speed, others the gift of healing, and others all the many and various talents He has created for His earthlings.

On the day you are born, Heaven is filled with joy as your Heavenly Father, your Savior and the Holy Spirit gather together, pick out a special gift just meant for you, and then send it posthaste down to planet Earth to welcome you aboard - into the family of the living God.

The gift may set dormant for many years before you open it, or some open their gift as early as their teens, others may wait...

But can't you just imagine the "Love Notes" from Heaven attached to each gift?

"To Mahalia with love...Use your gift singing songs."
"To Billy with love, Use your gift reaching throngs."

And "To you, my Child...Write the story of MY love...
And tell them about Jesus, and His kingdom above. "

I'm trying, Lord, I'm trying.

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