Harry Potter and the Little Wooded Stick [Objects (for inspiration)]

In 1997, the start of a new series of books was published over across the pond in London, England. In 1998, the same book was published here in the States. Then in 2001, a movie adaptation was filmed based on the novel. It was a start of a generation, the start to multiple books and even more movies. It was what eventually lead one woman to becoming a billionaire, with a fan base of millions. This book’s name, you ask? Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. One of my clearest, earliest memories is of sitting in front of the TV. I was maybe four or five, watching an old box-television. I remember the opening credits popping onto the screen, and wondering what the heck it was. So of course I watched it. And then fell in love. I was really young, though, so my love for The Boy Who Lived would surface a few years down the road. Fast forward to my Elementary school years. I devoured as much of the series as I could get my hands on, and my brain practically exploded. Fascinated with the idea of witches and wizards and magic, it took over my mind. At the time, I lived in Highlandville, Missouri, in a little house with a barn and a good amount of land. On top of that, I always wanted to go on an adventure, fighting dragons (and my brother and sister), saving people. I only saw one way to do both; pretending to have magic. There were usually three of us playing. Myself, my younger sister, and our little brother. We would trek outside no matter the weather, and go hunting. Not for animals, but for the perfect sized stick to be used as a wand. Our little sticks crawled all over the yard, right along with us. How we played depended on the day and if we were getting along or not. Waving the pieces of wood around, we would cast spells on each other then run away laughing evilly. It was a pretty good bonding experience, really. To this day, whenever I’m out walking around and come across the perfect hand-wielding stick, I have to resist the urge to pick it up and finish that last game we started, the last one that got paused to be restarted at a later date, but never did. So these fallen tree branches brought my siblings and I together, all based on the attention I paid to Harry Potter. They gave us hours upon hours of fun and laughter, and a love for seven books (and eight movies) that will last my entire life.

I Am... Bethany Ball

I Am Poem I am a daughter, a sister, the oldest of five. Raised in a small town with big city dreams. I am packing and moving with new sights to see, always dreaming and thinking of new places to be, but an overachiever that lacks motivation to do anything. I am hot chocolate and marshmallows, soft blankets and snow, saving moments in photographs that have nowhere to go. I am hoodies and leggings and dancing in the rain. Gritting my teeth to get through any pain. I am browned eyed and ditzy with emotions to spare. Seventeen, not too young nor quite old, only beginning my life, with a long way to go.