As a teenager, I felt I was always letting people down. I was rebellious (反叛的) outside,   1   on the inside,
I wanted people to   2   me.
     Once I left home to hitchhike (搭便车) to California with my friend Penelope. The trip wasn't   3  , and
there were many times I didn't feel safe. One situation in particular   4   me grateful to still be alive. When I
returned home, I was different, not so outwardly sure of myself.
     I was happy to be home. But then I noticed that Penelope, who was   5   with us, was wearing my clothes.
And my   6   seemed to like her better than me. I wondered if I would be   7   if I weren't there. I told my mom,
and she explained that   8   Penelope was a lovely girl, no one could   9   me. I pointed out, "She is more patient
and is neater than I have ever been." My mom said these were wonderful  10 , but I was the only person who
could fill my  11 . She made me realize that even with my  12  -and there were many-I was a loved member of
the family who couldn't be replaced.
     I became a searcher, wanting to  13  who I was and what made me unique. My  14  of myself was changing.
I wanted a solid base to start from. I started to resist pressure to  15  in ways that I didn't like any more, and I
was  16  by who I really was. I came to feel much more  17  that no one can ever take my place.
     Each of us  18  a unique place in the world. You are special, no matter what others say or what you may
think. So  19  about being replaced. You  20  be.