Maiden Voyage of a Little Soul

   What wonders, dear diary! I never expected anything so magnificent could ever be made by man. Yet, there it was, sitting so regally by the dock, the ship that God Himself could not sink. Mama, Papa, little Charlie and myself were all set for the amazing journey to America. Papa had booked all of us for another ship, but he jumped at the chance to get us on the mighty Titanic.

   “There she is, all 883 feet of her. See what beauty man can achieve,” said Papa. “This ship is a testament to how we can overcome almost everything! This is only the beginning of our new lives, my family, in America.”

   We boarded the Titanic and waved Southampton, and all of Europe, goodbye. Titanic was headed for France, to pick up more passengers. After that, we would be off to Ireland for even more passengers, then we would be off to America, to our new home.

   Before we could get settled down, we heard this big commotion! There was another ship that lost its ropes, and was about to hit the Titanic. I saw the ship come closer and closer. I could see its name, the S.S. New York, written on its side. I was certain it was going to hit us, and maybe sink us, too, but the Captain and his brave sailors stopped it in time. What a show!

   Papa held my hand the whole time. He told me, “Sweet daughter of mine. You need not be afraid. This ship will see us safely all the way to America.”
   How happy I am to be with my Papa on this journey!

   We finally settled down in our cabin on B deck. I fell in love with the room at first sight. It was like our sitting room, back at home. Papa had that room made for Mama, as a present for their anniversary. It was after Papa had made so much money with his business, and moved us into the rich neighborhood. We were new money, as my new friends called us. I didn't understand what that meant, but it meant something to Mama and her new friends.

   “Such a room I did not expect!” Mama said. “This is like being at home, not on a boat in the middle of the ocean.”

   “It's a ship, Mama,” Papa said. “It is a large palace on the water, and I am going to take our Lauren to explore it.”

   I giggled with delight. “Oh, can we see the whole ship?” I asked.

   “We will be on board many days.” He told me. “I am sure we have the time.”

   As Mama put little Charlie to bed, Papa and I went for a stroll around the beautiful ship. We walked up the big, wooden staircase with the clock and a big, glass dome, out to the decks. I wanted to take the fancy, electric elevators, but Papa said they were too busy carrying passengers to and from their rooms.

   “Maybe later.” He said. “We have the time.”

   The Titanic was sailing away from the land, to France. The ocean had tiny waves, and I could see the birds in the air floating in the breeze. There were many others on the decks as well, walking and talking. I even found some other children my own age. I waved, and hoped there would be plenty of time to get to know them. I thought of my old friends, the ones I left behind, the ones I would never see again. I promised to write to them once we arrived in America.

   We walked around the deck for a long time. It felt like we walked a mile or more. When we got back to the cabin, it was time for dinner. Mama had already changed, and little Charlie was playing with Jordan, his bear doll. Mama had me change into my dinner dress. She wanted to make an impression on the people she called “old money.”

   “You do not want to go to dinner looking like a ragamuffin.” Mama said. “Your Papa is a big man now, and he needs to impress our fellow, wealthy passengers.”

   “Oh, Mama,” Papa said, “don't worry. Our Little Lauren will make quite an impression at dinner.”

   I was disappointed that we used the stairs to get to the big, white dining hall. Mama was too scared to try the elevator.

   “It seems so small, like a closet, or a coffin.” Mama said. “And what would happen if the elevator fell down?”

   I was upset, but Papa promised me, “We'll try it later. We have plenty of time to do whatever we want.”

   “Okay, Papa.”

   At dinner, I ate the grilled sausage, with a little bit of a baked apple and buckwheat cake. Mama and Papa had the roast duckling, and Charlie crunched on ice chips and ate Mama's pudding. I was hungry from walking all over, but Mama wanted me to look ladylike in front of the “Old money”. It is a good thing Papa saved an extra piece of cornbread I could eat later. Papa is so sweet to me!

   Mama made new friends at dinner, and Papa impressed with his smarts. Charlie was well-behaved, and I was, as Mama said later, “golden sunshine.” I was very happy.

   After dinner, Mama wanted to walk the decks. Papa allowed me to tell Mama of all the things on deck, that he told me about earlier. I was so happy to lead Mama, Papa and Charlie on a tour of the greatest ship ever made!

   Though it was only the first day of our voyage, we had gotten to do so much. Before I fell asleep, Papa was telling me of all the things we could see and do on-board; the gymnasium, the pool, the squash court, and so much more. He even told me he would teach me how to swim, if we have a chance.

   “We might even be able to meet Captain Smith, or see the radio room.” Papa said. “That is where they have the Marconi wireless system. It truly is a marvel of our age.”

   I asked Papa if I could meet some of the children, and he said yes! I was so happy, I didn't want to sleep.

   “You should sleep, my dear,” Papa said. “There's plenty of time ahead of us. It is a long way to America, and we have a whole ocean to cross. This is only the start of a new life for all of us. We will all live in peace and happiness in America …”