I always have a smile on my face.

When I get up in the morning I’m ready for the day ahead of me. It never matters if it’s snowing, raining or if the sun is shining. I run down the stairs and out my front door ready to greet my neighbors, and the day’s tasks with a positive attitude because I know this world is mine, and hardly anything can ever go wrong here.

Here in my virtual world, in my virtual town, in a game called "Animal Crossing Wild World," lives a happy virtual me.

Today as I open my door, the white birds fly overhead into the blue sky. The town music of the afternoon is playing, and I hear the ding of my mailbox notifying me of the letters friends, and other people of my world have sent me.

Today is a beautiful day.

I’m dressed in my favorite outfit: A pink flannel dress, and a pilot’s hat. My hair is short and dark brown although my hat covers it, and my blue eyes stare happily from behind my wide rimmed glasses. I bob my head to the beat of the music and continue to smile. Not even a flicker of self consciousness deters me as I begin the journey away from my cobblestone patio, and towards town.

To begin today’s errands, I stop by Tom Nook’s store to pick up some medicine for my sick friend Stitches. I know he would do the same for me if I was sick.

Although, I never get sick.

I make sure to stop by the Able Sisters clothing store to see if they have anything that might catch my eye, and to, of course, say hello to Sable since I know she gets lonely with only her younger sister to talk to. The two of them are always happy to see me, and whenever I try something on, Mabel always tells me I look amazing.

I believe her.

When I dropped the medicine off at Stitches’ house he was so happy. He told me I was one of the best friends he ever had, and seems to be making a miraculous recovery.

The medicine here never fails to do its job.

I’ve made my important delivery for the day, but my job isn’t over yet. I still have to make sure the weeds are pulled, collect the fruit to sell to Nook, find the rock that always has money hidden under it every day, dig up all the fossils to give to the museum or to be sold for a handsome price and shake all the trees to see if I can get money, or special items out of them. Sometimes a bee’s nest falls out, but if I’m quick I can make it inside without being harmed. It doesn’t matter much though.

I’m not afraid of getting hurt.

Besides, if I get hurt my insurance sends a hundred bells (Animal Crossing money) to my mailbox. Plus, with just one bag of medicine, or a little bit of sleep I’ll heal right up.

It’s nice to live in a world where I don’t have to worry about money, or bad health.

Throughout my day I run into several of my friends who are always glad to see me, and are willing to talk to me for as much as I need. We give each other nicknames, exchange gifts, run errands for each other and give and receive compliments and advice. Sometimes there can be disagreements which end the conversation in one friend being mad at the other, but the problem is always resolved in the end.

Here, friends always stay friends.

When the day’s chores are finished I can relax by fulfilling a variety of talents in a short amount of time. I can fish, catch bugs, design clothes, do some gardening or work on designing the inside of my home. Everyone here has some kind of knack, or something they love to do.

And no one can tell you you can’t do it.

As the sun sets I go to enjoy the best coffee ever made at Brewster’s café in the Museum before walking home under the stars. The pretty night time music is playing, and if I’m lucky I can see a shooting star and stop to make a wish. The star will send me my wish in the mail the next morning.

As I crawl into bed I still have a smile on my face. I know as soon as I lay down I’ll have no trouble falling asleep. I’ll dream of the wonderful day I had. I’ll dream of the world where the people I love are just a short walk away, where bad self-image is unheard of and everyone accepts you for who you are. I’ll dream of never getting sick, being hurt or afraid.

I’ll dream of the place where things are as easy as wishing on a star.

Then I’ll wake up in the real world, and try to take comfort in the fact that at least one version of me is always doing okay.