December 6th

My name is Andie, and I am a 12-year-old girl with arthritis. I know what you are thinking already. Isn’t that an old-people thing, and only grandma and grandpas get it? That is what I thought at first, too, but I guess it isn't since I somehow have it.

My joints hurt, my knuckles swell up, and I walk a little funny. My doctor calls it “Juvenile Arthritis,” which means I am a kid who has joints that do not work right. Some days, it gets really bad, and I cry, but other days, I feel like a normal middle schooler. 

I have a great group of friends who do not treat me differently, even on my bad days when I use my blue cane to get around. They say it matches my outfit and make me feel better about using it.

A lot of people give me mean looks because they do not get why I need a cane when I look fine. 

Explaining it to strangers is the worst, so I do not go out much. It is starting to get colder, and the cold makes my knees crack and ache anyway. 

My school's Christmas break is just around the corner, and I cannot wait to spend time with my family and friends inside, where it is warm and I do not hurt.

December 19th

It is finally Christmas break, and I have to go to my doctor for a check-up. Since I have arthritis, I see my doctor every three months. My mom tries to schedule everything during my days off school.

I don’t love the appointments, but I know I have to go to get my medicine. 

My doctor greets me while humming Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. My parents sit in the chairs beside me, holding my little brother on their lap.

“Good morning, Andie! Got any fun Christmas plans?” my doctor asks me. I get up on the examination table while he pokes at my knees. 

“No. My friends are going ice skating, but I am in too much pain to go,” I say. 

“That’s too bad. I’m sorry. Are you okay if I give you a bigger dose of your medicine? The cold can make your joints worse, and it should help.”

“Yeah, they feel really stiff. More medicine sounds good,” I say, trying to pretend I am strong. I like how my doctor talks to me instead of my parents. He treats me like an adult and lets me make decisions. 

“I will get you that medicine, and you will be doing figure eights on the ice in no time. It seems like your mood is down, too. Do you have a pet? It might help if you get an emotional support animal,” he says while smiling.

“What is an emotional support animal?” I ask.

“It is a pet that helps you get through your bad days. I have a cat. His name is Mr. Fluffy! They are great!” he says, writing on his clipboard and sending us to the lab so I can get my blood drawn. The nurses take my blood to make sure that there is nothing else wrong with my health.

I hope he is right and things get better because I am missing out on all the holiday fun. My friends are texting me every day, asking if I want to go sledding, build a snowman, or go ice skating.

They have been posting photos of them in the snow, and I can’t help but feel left out.

Maybe I should look into getting an emotional support animal. If my mom agrees to it…

December 23rd

I thought having so many days off from school would be fun, but it has been boring. No one wants to come over and do indoor activities like I thought they would. My friends have been busy doing stuff with their families since now it is so close to Christmas.

I lay on the couch, scrolling through my phone. I want to scream because my joints hurt so bad. I couldn’t do anything if I wanted to. 

My mom walks up to me and says, “Let’s have a family movie night!”

“Ugh,” I say. 

“Come on, Andie, I will even make popcorn and hot chocolate. Your brother is excited. We are going to watch your favorite Christmas movie, The Polar Express.”

“Oh, alright,” I say, scooting up to face the TV. Out of the corner of my eye, I see our beautiful tree with our homemade ornaments and lights. 

My little brother jumps up and down on the couch cushion next to me. I know he is happy we are going to watch a movie, but I wish he would stop jumping because it moves my cushion and makes my pain worse. 

“STOP that!” I yell at him. 

My mom walks into the room, holding our steaming hot chocolates and candy canes.

“Andie, do not talk to your brother like that. Apologize to him, and Noah stops bouncing. It hurts your sister.”

“I am sorry, Noah,” I say, gritting my teeth with frustration.

“It’s okay. I'm sorry I hurt you, Sissy. I didn’t mean to,” he says, curling up to my arm. 

Even though it hurts, I lean into his cuddles and watch the movie, trying not to think about how bad I feel and what my friends are doing. I take sips of my warm drink while stirring the candy cane into it. When the movie ends, I flop onto my cozy bed. 

December 24th

It is Christmas Eve, and my parents are leaving to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, so I have to babysit Noah. Thankfully, he is distracted by playing games on his Nintendo Switch.

While I wait for them to get back, I Facetime with my friend, Evelyn. 

“So, how has your break been?” she asks, turning the camera to show her face.

“Boring. I miss you. It’s the 24th, and here I am, watching my baby brother,” I say, looking at the rectangular box of myself in the corner of my phone. My eyes are droopy and tired.

“I’m sorry. I wish we could have hung out. How are you feeling?”

“To be honest, everything hurts, but I am strong,” I say. Evelyn must have known how I was feeling from how I look. I try to use my hair to cover my red, splotchy face.

“Well, I was thinking, and my family is having a New Year's Eve party at our house. It will be indoors, and you won’t have to go out in the snow. We will stay up until midnight! Sarah is coming. Do you want to come too?”

“Really? I would love to go! Thank you for inviting me to something I can do.”

This was perfect. I finally have something to look forward to. 

“Of course. You are my friend. That is what friends do.” 

My mom’s car pulls into our driveway making a rumbling noise. The car's bright lights shine through the window.

“Sorry, I have to go. It looks like my mom and dad are back home.”

“Okay! Bye! See you on New Year's Eve!” Evelyn says, waving goodbye and ending the call. 

My mom walks in, holding something underneath her sweater. The fabric of her shirt keeps moving. My dad sighs and sits down in his chair. 

“Mom, what is under your shirt? Whatever it is is squirming.”

“Well, honey. I am sorry. We were going to surprise you with this tomorrow morning for Christmas, but we had to pick it up today,” she says, pulling out a tiny puppy. 

“Is that what I think it is?” I ask. 

“Yes, your dad and I talked after your doctor's appointment, and we thought it was a good idea. You are such a strong girl. I know that sometimes it is lonely to be your age and have an illness. A pet will do you some good.”

“Thank you,” I say as I lean down and pet the dog's soft fur. Its pink tongue gives me wet kisses as its tail wags back and forth. The dog has curly brown hair and floppy ears. 

“DOGGY!” Noah screams, chasing after it.

“Yes, it is a dog. My dog. My emotional support animal,” I say, holding the pup close to my heart.

Maybe Christmas break isn’t so bad after all. Now I have a puppy to call my own and plans for New Year's Eve.

“What are you going to name her?” my dad asks. 

“Let’s name her Eve,” I say, grinning with happiness.