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learning to love myself and overcoming Cerebral Palsy not allowing it to overcome me |
| I would like to begin by saying I love being Me. Who is Marcia Belle Bucella? I could tell you the typical stuff like when I was born, how old I am, and where I was born, but I think I would enjoy sharing something [4c] most of the time only happens in soap operas [1****] or you read it in a good novel [4c] you just can't put down. I was 18 years old and feeling like I was on top of the world. I was in my Senior year of high school. I had the best friends in the world. I was looking forward to college and beginning my adult life. Absolutely nothing bothered me.Because I have cerebral palsy,[2] I walked on my canes. [1] but I always had a smile for everyone. I was so proud to be me. I had awesome grades. I was excited about finally graduating [1**] because I didn't start going to school until I was almost 6 years old. About two months before graduation all the seniors were given our graduation announcements. This is the stationary[4c] you use to tell everyone who is important to you that [4c] you are going to graduate. My mother always made a big deal over anything I did in my life[1], so when she went overboard on the announcements[2], it didn't surprise me. ***** My mother was a bar tender. She worked late nights. It wasn't unusual for her to have a few drinks after work. Mommy was a happy drunk,[?] not mean and nasty like you see some people.[1**]when they have too much alcohol in their system. My mom used to talk your ear off [1**]when she got drunk. I will never forget this night as long as I live I was still awake when her and daddy arrived home. It was the weekend , [1***] so we were allowed to stay up late. She came home as usual and went into the kitchen [1***] to count her tips for the night. I followed her[1**] because I loved to watch her roll her tips. She called the coins white change except for the pennies. If she had enough to roll,[2] she would tell daddy what coin wrappers she needed, and how many of each wrapper she needed. Then Daddy would go upstairs to get them for her. After the change was wrapped [2] Mom and Dad would go to bed. The routine was the same every night she worked[1] ,but mom didn't follow daddy to bed.on this night she stayed in the kitchen with me. I had no idea what was about to come out of her mouth. Marcy,[?]"I have something to tell you. I think you should know. The man you think is your father isn't your father. He is someone else." "Why,are you telling me this now,[?]Mom?" "I want you to know[1**]because I sent him an invitation to your graduation. His name is Hugh McDonough." "Oh, [?] Wow." "Marcy, are you mad at me?" No,[?] ,[4a] Mom,[4a] I am not mad. "Now,[4a]Please,[4a] don't tell your Daddy [4c] you know [1**]because it will ruin my happy home." "Mom,[?]I want to go to bed now. Good night. I love you." I went to bed not knowing how to feel. I felt confused and hurt[3a] ,[1]so I fell asleep wondering I why didn't feel sad. Does this change who I am? ***** When I got up the next day. My thoughts were all mixed up still but I was hungry. I needed to eat. Daddy always makes my breakfast. He is going to know something is wrong. I am rarely ever not smiling. My face tells on me. What am I going to tell him? Daddy sits with me while I eat. We talk and laugh together over the Sunday comics. I can't stay in my room forever. I guess,[?] I just have to hope he can't tell [4c] I am upset. I crawled to the steps and went downstairs [4a],on my butt[4a], one step at a time. At the bottom of the steps I grabbed my canes and walked to the kitchen. "Good afternoon , [?]baby girl. What do you want to eat?" "If there is lunch meat,Daddy,[4a]I would like a sandwich, [?] please." "There is. I just bought some fresh this morning. Are you alright,[?]Marcy?" "I didn't sleep well,[?]Daddy." "You better go to bed early tonight.You have school in the morning." "I know,[?] Daddy" Daddy gave me my sandwich and put one in front of his place setting before he sat down he got us each something to drink,[2]he also grabbed the comics. Our favorite comics were Kit and Carlyle and Marmaduke. We ate and laughed over the comics together. When I finished eating I asked if I could be excused from the table1**} because I wanted to go listen to some music and sing. "Yes,[?]you may. I will be listening." "Daddy,[?] I love you!" "I love you too[4a],sweetheart,4a." I left the kitchen smiling from ear to ear. I went back upstairs feeling much better. I decided no matter what happened from this point on my daddy would always be my daddy. I turned my stereo on and sang my heart out. I knew there were going to be some changes in my life,[1]but I promised myself that [4c] I wouldn't let it change who I am. I will always be Marcia Belle Bucella. It wasn't hard for me to figure out the reason I didn't feel sad [?] because I realized how lucky I am. Any man can be a father it takes a special man to be a Daddy. (I have some serious editing to do here, but as you can see this was one my assignments that I did in camma sense class here at writing.com.) I liked the story because it is a very real and true part of my life. It will also be retold in book two.Everything In Life Happens for A Reason: Marcia's Teenage Years These are the explanations for the exceptions of rule 1. Explanations: [1*] --This is an exception to rule #1. No comma is used after a coordinating conjunction in a NON-compound sentence. [1**] -- Exception to rule #1. The comma before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence may be left out if both independent clauses are quite short (5 - 6 words), or the first clause is short. [1***] -- Exception to rule #1. No comma here because it is a subordinating conjunction, not a coordinating conjunction, in this compound sentence. [1****] -- Exception to rule #1. No comma before "so that". [1*****] -- Exception to rule #1. A comma IS used with the coordinating conjunction in a NON-compound sentence when expressing extreme contrast. RULES OF COMMA USAGE: Rule #1 - Compound Sentences With Coordinating Conjunctions (use commas) >>Exception: Compound Sentences with the Coordinating Conjunction "so that" (don't use commas) >>Exception: Compound Sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions (don't use commas-usually) >>Exception: Short Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions (don't use commas) >>Exception: Non-Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions (don't use commas) >>Exception: Non-Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions expressing contrast (use commas) Rule #2 - Introductory Adverbial Clauses (use commas) Rule #3a - Coordinate Adjectives (use commas) Rule #3b - Non-Coordinate Adjectives (don’t use commas) Rule #4a - Non-Essential Elements (use commas) Rule #4b - Essential Elements (don't use commas) Rule #4c - Essential "That" Clauses (don't use commas) |
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