I have been struggling with writing the past few days. Definitely not feeling it. This morning I was reading through some older stuff on my computer and came across this essay that was written by my now 17 year old daughter. She wrote this a little over 2 years ago. Be sure to read thru to the end as there is amazing insight there.
Where I’m From….
By L Wood
I’m from the same place still that I came from,
Lived in the same house my whole life,
I’m from memories that always flow through me,
Every time I’m home I remember happiness and strife,
I’m from dancing in the mirror and singing in the hairbrush
To playing with momma’s hair and daddy’s big bear hugs
I was the little girl next door that couldn’t come out and play
And the girl who thought she was a boy until about 13,
I’m from the bridge over our favorite creek
That’s surrounded by pretty flowers in the spring
Who is my best friend and keeps all my secrets,
I can trust him
If you fast forward a little you’ll see,
I’m still from the same cute, little house,
But no longer a little girl walks out the front door,
But a young lady trying so hard to make her parents proud
I’m from The Church at Covington and Elevate Youth Group,
I’m from frustration coming out of my Algebra 2 classroom,
I’m from a place that gets confusing,
But in this place God is able to use me
Where it’s impossible not to see to see someone you know when you go out,
I’m from a dance studio were I’ve thought through so many problems,
As I let my feelings through in the way my body moves
I’m from a place were most people don’t go,
That’s deep in my mind,
A place that I don’t ever really show,
I’m from trying so hard to be myself,
To learning it’s always possible… If you’re brave enough*.
*This is such a sweet line for me to remember. She loved the Chronicles of Narnia and Aslan says this to Lucy in the movie, which had come out some time before she wrote this
Such insight from a 15 year old!
There is a place in all of us, a place that we never really show, the place that we keep hidden because we are sure that people could not possibly like us if they knew ‘that’ person.
I know that she is still working on this herself, but I hope she is able to find some success while she is young. It sucks to be 45 and not be comfortable in being who I am, of not even being 100% sure of who that is yet. I know that I am getting closer to discovering me, that I am becoming more and more brave and digging deeper and deeper within to those areas within that I have locked away for so long.
So, even now, at 45, I am trying so hard to be myself,
as
I
discover,
one
step
at
a
time,
who
I
really
am.
What about you? Are you comfortable with who you are? Do you know who that person is? Did you always know or did it take some time to figure it out?
My goal is to help as many people as possible with these issues we all deal with! Be sure to subscribe via email or RSS so you don’t miss any posts! If you know of someone who would benefit from the info in this post and in my blog and you would like to share with them, please click on the appropriate link below!
Lovely.
Hang.
in
there.
You
are
not
alone.
I’m so much more comfortable now than I was 30, 20, 10 years ago. Growing older doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s better to be older and wiser. And just think of the alternative 🙂
beautiful essay – there is wisdom running through her veins 🙂
It’s a constant discovery, even with knowledge of who I am there is always more mystery that I never bore of unfolding – the closer I get to Him, the great I AM, and the more I learn about Him, the more I learn about who I am and was created to be – have a glorious day sweet bella, keep shining
She’s so expressive. It must be amazing to watch your girl grow up and see her personality develop. Ours is almost two and it’s just been delightful watching her express herself.
I just turned 40 and I do not want relate to your blog on so many different levels. But alas, time tells a different story and I welcome your wise words.
What a beautiful poem your daughter wrote sooo much insight there….. I just turned 40 this year and actually it seems the older I get the more I’m accepting of certain things about myself. I too have a daughter that turns 18 next month and she writes too. She is truly and inspiration to me…. I’m a part of our SITs group and look forward to getting to know you. Have a Wonderful Week!
It seems like I feel better about who I am every single day. I absolutely love my life! But I’m 43. To have the kind of insight she had at 15? She’s a special girl.
And I love how she alludes to her soul, the part of ourselves that is always the same.
So insightful for someone so young! I think I really began my journey aft my first marriage. (If you get a chance, check out my blog post titled, “He’s a Jerk But I Love Him.”). But, much like you… The real growth has been in my 40’s.
Wonderful post! I found you on iFellowship. I have saved many of my daughters writings and drawings from their early/mid teen years. It’s so great to go back and read them!
I just read your comment over at Holley’s blog. I’m in the same boat as you. I struggle to be the me I used to be. God is working within me even though it’s hard to see over the depression. Thanks for sharing and maybe we can encourage each other along the way. have a good day!
Your daughter is a poet :)!
I am so grateful you decided to share this poem with the world.It has touched me deeply thank you for sharing.
So interesting! I am now 57 and finally very comfortable with who I am and where I am. But I am also thankful for the journey to get here. I wouldn’t trade it for all the tea in China. People probably scratch their heads wondering what I am up to. I just left a very successful career after 30 years and left the beautiful city that I loved and gave me so much and moved back, for some strange comfortable reason, to a small town on the same prairies where I grew up. Life is so simple! I began to yearn for simplicity. Today I thought about all the wonderful wines and bubblies that I could buy in the city but as time passes, I don’t have the same cravings. It is my new path to live simply and in the present and within my means. I love to learn about my new surroundings. So I guess my advice is – all in time!
Wow, I wish I had word to tell how much this has moved me. What a beautiful young lady you have, you are blessed. So glad you decided to be Sentimental with me today.
Cha Cha
[…] I so enjoy seeing your projects! I am not handy with tools, but I can paing and seeing your projects helps me broaden my vision and see things differently and potential where there was none before. I have to say I love your blog and I love the name of it. I am sure there is a backstory behind it! Bernice https://bernicewood.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/trying-so-hard-to-be-myself/ […]
[…] I so enjoy seeing your projects! I am not handy with tools, but I can paing and seeing your projects helps me broaden my vision and see things differently and potential where there was none before. I have to say I love your blog and I love the name of it. I am sure there is a backstory behind it! Bernice https://bernicewood.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/trying-so-hard-to-be-myself/ […]