This is the song I used to sing and imitate…when I was like ten. As I’ve said, I didn’t carry a barometer for appropriate behavior. I loved this song. I loved Natalie Wood. In my mind, this was a perfect song to sing in middle school in the cafeteria, while swaying my hips about and tossing my hair. Trouble started when I didn’t outgrow my delight in life—this innocence to dance and sing, and just be. Big trouble, as I approached high school, while still a ten year old in my mind.
I got downright cute and sexy approaching freshman year in high school, but didn’t know it. Once I turned fourteen, I always thought I was ugly. I was entirely clueless why the boys gawked and the girls jeered. Why the boys wanted my number and the girls shunned me. To me, I was still some scrawny kid inside. I didn’t see my sexy, my curves, my short shorts, my passionate eyes. I didn’t see what the others saw. As I matured into pretty, in my mind, I was still a little twiggy girl with buckteeth, a chipped front tooth, stringy hair, high-water hand-me-down jeans, and a flat chest. I had no idea I’d blossomed.
This was the other song I sang loudly in the middle school cafeteria
I used the moves and all. I was special. I was confident. I was damn awesome!
Before I turned fourteen, I was engorged with passion, full of life, energy, and the feeling I could conquer the world. At the end of eighth grade, Mother plucked me from the coast of California and moved me to Massachusetts to live with her longtime lover. All at once, I knew no one, was loved by no one, and knew not who I was.
This was a time of unmentionables. I transformed from wild stallion to fearful doe. I hid. I stayed in dark rooms. I pretended not to exist—this after being driven down a long country road by our twenty-something neighbor who was married to the flat-chested lady I babysat for the next door over. A scene, I blurred and blanched out of memory, that sucked out my passion, that transported the little girl I had been to a frightened woman, terrified of life, terrified to live.
I stopped living at the age of fourteen. I just stopped. My daily laughter turned to daily tears. I no longer danced. I no longer sang. I just existed. It was then I began to see my past, to compare what I’d been through to what my peers had been through. I recognized all at once how different I was, how damaged, how hopeless.
I stopped living because I finally saw my mother. I saw who she was and how she never was who I longed for her to be. I stopped living because I was ostracized at school, made fun of for my “California” looks, for my clothes, for my curves. I stopped living because when I looked in the mirror I was something horrible, unrecognizable. I wasn’t me anymore. The spirit of me, the joy, the lover of life, had been siphoned out of me. I was staring at a stranger in my skin. My eyes dulled. My heart numbed. And my entire view of life grey.
I no longer trusted the world or anyone in it. And I didn’t know where to go, how to be, and knew not enough to tell a soul of my agony. I angst perpetually from want, desire, and deafening loneliness. I ached for companionship, for people, for someone to shout out they loved me, for someone to see me—for someone to find me, wherever I’d gone.
I dreamt of ending my life. I dreamt of my prince, my twin flame, my soul mate, and would spend hours with him, in some enchanted place my spirit held. I imagined wherever he was, he would know the heart of me, that his heart would match mine, that he would be holding my heart, and would someday find me. I wept and wept and wept for him as much as I wept for the lost me.
I walked emptied.
It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that my spirit returned. I don’t know how, or why, it just did.
I have ever changed. This joy-filled, spirit of light has once again turned on, filling me with child-like glee. I have a plethora of things I want to do. A list that keeps growing and a spirit that keeps yearning and celebrating. I’m dancing inside. I’m walking on air. I’m not caring how silly I look. I’m loving me. I’m embracing my beauty, the beauty I lost thirty years ago.
Only in waking, some three decades later, I am finding myself in a strange land somewhat, surrounded by strange people I almost don’t recognize. Questioning my place, my role, my purpose. Wondering who I was for the last thirty years. Who I’d become. What choices I’ve made. How I’d let myself suffer. How I’d numbed my life.
I’m not recognizing photos of me from a month ago. Not understanding where I’ve been and who was inside of me for so very long. I can’t explain this transformation. I just can’t.
But looking into my eyes, I can see that the little girl who danced passionately without fear in the cafeteria, swinging her hips back and forth and tossing her hair about, is back. The lovely happy girl who played beside nature, climbed the trees, sang and dance, cuddled with puppies, held hands, and skipped and skipped long after sundown across paths of gold, rainbows, unicorns, and her forever friends, has returned to me. And I am embracing her fully, and never letting her go.
Everyday Asperger's 
Happy to know that the lovely happy girl is back! 😉
Big smiles. 🙂 Thank you, Joan. ~ Sam
You’re welcome. 🙂
I have learn with the years that some times it seem like certain “things” are stole from us, many do not value this “things” because they always have them. I think God return this “things” to us at the right time and what makes this more beautiful is the new appreciation we have for them. Is not just the joy to have them back but the joy of knowing what a difference they make into our life, is remembering how life was without them and knowing we are out of that place of darkness. Does it make any sense? Sometimes writing in english seems so hard for me…
You make perfect sense, and your thoughts match those in my heart. I strongly feel God has returned this to me, and know everything has a season and a purpose. Thank you for saying the same as I was thinking. You spoke well and clearly. Yes, this is the right time. You are very correct and accurate. Thank you very much. Sam
that’s very interesting you say you back…. I had a thought when I saw the above photo of you, I think it was last week, that this is a different you, you looked more alive. Glad to have you back. Funny even though we’ve not been in touch much we still seem to be running in parallel with each other. Love L x
Lucille, a few people have commented about my photos changing. Many actually. So nice to know you see that, too. Can I have your direct link to your blog. When I link on your profile picture, it doesn’t take me to your site. I do that often, and then forget how to find you. 🙂 Parallel, again, indeed. Glad to hear. Love and light, Sam 🙂
love the photos and this somewhat mirrors me….I went from happy, confident boy to a nervous, withdrawn wreck…around 12….affected me til this day
Hi David, Thank you so much for reading this. Hmmmmm….. Hugs, Sam
Oh I am happy for you Sam,you found yourself back,the spirit however was always within you,you just needed that place and time to search
growing up a lot happened i can see,
and in these dark alleys grew up a beautiful brave girl….
hugs 🙂
I thought the same thoughts, as writing, that she was always (I was always there), but there is a transition where I fill like a holy spirit has been injected into me, or moreso poured into me. Yes, so much happened…. * sigh * Much of which I had YEARS of therapy for, so I’ve healed at an intellectual and functioning level. But now, I’ve healed at a soul-level. So glad to have you in my journey, dear friend. HUGS xoxox Sam
Love this photos and blog
Yay. Thank you, very much. 🙂 ~ Sam
I’m glad you’re back,my friend…being away yet still here must have been horrible,but such a nice ending to the post,makes me smile 🙂
The DC
Glad you smiled 🙂 🙂 🙂 Yay! Yes, was a long road, but the journey etched my soul with grace, humility, and unconditional love. To do again….you bet. Hugs, Sam
🙂
Yay, i love your post…it’s very deep and insightful. You are a wonderful woman. 🙂
Much appreciate your kindness. 🙂 Right back at you, wonderful woman! 😉
When I saw the new pic I knew some amazing transformation was underway. I can’t imagine the pain that you have endured and I can’t imagine what wonderful future awaits as you start to live again.
Yep. You were right! Amazing how the soul shows through the skin and eyes. Thank you for your continued support and kind words. Hope all is well in your camp. 🙂 Sam
Love your blog…very cute and also, thanks for the following. 🙂
Oh, thank you. You are very welcome. Hugs, Sam
Your welcome Sam 🙂
love this post…love the beautiful “girlish soul” in you 🙂 🙂 never let her go, Sam…that lovely and energetic girl…love the pics and music 🙂 🙂 love and {{{{hugssss}}}}
Love your comment 😉 So full of love, you are. HUGS, friend ~ Sam
Sam: Darkness, light, transformation, and most importantly, “return” fills this post. I worried about you as reached the mid-point of this post, but it sounds as though you’ve made it through the tunnel and come out on the other side—a better side.
I have to say that I really appreciated what “Mrs. A” said in her comment to you. I think that was VERY, VERY insightful!
Please keep smiling! —George
Me, too. I agree with Mrs. A! I will keep smiling, I will. Always appreciate your comments and support. Have a great day. hugs, Sam 🙂
Thank you for your honesty. I enjoyed this post.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Appreciate your visit. 🙂 Sam
Oh Sam! When I got things organized in my head after my stroke, I felt that way; I was just waking up; I didn’t really recognize the old me other than I knew he had existed and had done those things. I was new and I have embraced that fully. While I would love to play volleyball, drive to new places late at night, eat whatever I want, I would not give up this new me for it all. I know how you feel and where you are. While I will not say my childhood was as bad as yours, I did have big challenges, some very few even know about. I can say that I, too, did not wake up until less than two years ago. It is a freeing feeling.
Scott
Wow. This is deep. I really do love your work! I am glad that you’ve found yourself back! and thanks for sharing your wonderful story. I find it motivating much in a way 🙂
So happy you love the work. I appreciate getting your kind comments. Hugs and Smiles, Sam 🙂