I hold my mother's hand tightly as I survey the park. Children are running around, having fun on the slide and swings. Two yellow kites sway against the blue sky. It is wonderful.

I wiggle my hand from Mom's grip when I see a girl, under the pine tree. She watches us intently, Barbie motionless on her lap.

Mom still looks worried, so I take back her hand and explain that I am fine here.
"Come back in one hour, okay?"

This is not my first trip to a park, but the first since I lost my hearing five years ago. Now I go to a special school for deaf kids. I learned the American Sign Language and next week I am getting a special dog to help me. I do remember the sounds, but just can't hear them anymore.

Today is my first big step to really adjust to this new life without sound. My teacher thought a trip to the park alone would help me, but Mom is not that sure.

I look back to the girl under the pine tree and to my pleasant surprise, she signals in ASL.
"Come play with me if you want, Barbie needs a friend and we have chocolate! " Her eyes sparkle as she wiggles beach Barbie at me.

I look up at my mom and say, quite solemnly,
"See you later, alligator!"

Pulling a sporty Barbie from my knapsack, I run to play with my new friend.