Louisiana's Way Home

by Kate DiCamillo

It is a dark day when you do not believe your granny. It is a day for tears. I started to cry.

And perhaps what matters when all is said and done is not who puts us down but who picks us up.

“I can’t leave yet,” I said. “I have to sing at the funeral tomorrow or else I can’t get my suitcase back. And I can’t leave my suitcase behind, because I have already left too many things behind.”

“Go on and eat it, darling. Take what is offered to you.”

I said, “I don’t know who I am. I only know that I am not who I thought I was.” Reverend Obertask nodded his big head. “That is a problem we all face sooner or later, I suppose.”

We all, at some point, have to decide who we want to be in this world. It is a decision we make for ourselves. You are being forced to make this decision at an early age, but that does not mean that you cannot do it well and wisely. I believe you can. I have great faith in you. You decide. You decide who you are, Louisiana. Do you understand?”