In my face I can read all that I felt: insecure, hopeful, homely, kind, bright and eager. What I wanted most in the world were two things: hair that feathered roundly, like Farrah Fawcett, and to fit in with my new foster parents. I had hair that was stubbornly straight, a habitual slouch, and glowing skin. I didn't know what to do with my appearance or about growing up. I opened wide my deep-set, bewildered eyes, which looked brown to the world but were truly hazel. I was shy. I pretended to be outgoing - because that's what people liked, and I wanted so badly to be liked. I was determined to smile, to be breezy, and above all to make it through my whirlwind thirteenth year.Find a picture taken of yourself when you were a crossroads. Write about that picture.
Christi, I can so deeply empathsize with most of what you shared. We learned to act like all was ok, no matter what. This was a tough time of a young lady's life and you had a struggle that I could not quite relate to. We both dealt with many things that have made us strong. Your quick "gaze" helped me to stare into my own past. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI had that hair, designed to look like Farrah Fawcett's, mostly because I was older and spent an hour on it every morning. In most ways. down to the eyes, and the shyness and the pretending, I think we could have been twins. But, where is that picture? I think I've carefully hidden them all away someplace ...
ReplyDeleteDarlene, Thanks for the note!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I'd love to see that picture!