"My
Picture" by Maneesha, aged 12
"Anne says that to her a great image is one that you can look at for a long, long
time. I often gaze at the image of myself in Jack's big hands, and wonder how I
could ever have been so small. To be honest, it's really hard to believe that it's
actually me. Of course, I don't remember anything from that time, but in my mind
I have a picture of a "gentle giant" holding me so very tenderly. My mother has
told me how nervous Jack felt when he had to hold my tiny and fragile body, but
I think he did a wonderful job. Over the years my parents have told me many stories
about the time when I was born and everything that happened. But I still used to
wonder what all the fuss was about. Now I am older and can understand a bit more
— the word "miracle" really has special meaning to me.
I'm just an ordinary twelve-year-old, no different to my friends, except I guess
I am very aware of how lucky I have been since the day I was born so prematurely,
lucky that I had such wonderful medical care and also to have such a beautiful image
to look back on. My school friends think it's really cool that I was such a small
baby. They say they can't believe it's really me in that photograph. My little nine-year-old
brother, Aakash, sometimes gets a bit jealous, but on the other hand I know he tells
everyone at school he has a famous sister! I'm so proud that my photograph has been
in lots of books and nearly around the world, so I guess I can say that I am a little
bit famous, even if people don't know me, but especially for those people who do
know me. These are strange feelings, but it is nice to have the attention sometimes.
Thankfully though, everyone still treats me the same and that's the best thing!
Perhaps everything I have been through has been worthwhile. If I had not come into
the world so early, I wouldn't have been fortunate enough to have met Anne, who
from day one has been such a big part of my life and really has made me feel so
special. Thank you, Anne, for continuing to be a part of my life, as I grow."
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