Here’s what I learned about myself when I was growing up:
My mother – “Your face has character;” “How are you doing with your weight?;” “Is that how you wanted your hair cut?”
My dance teacher – “Your legs are too short”
My boyfriend – “If you gain weight, I’ll break up with you”
My junior high school journalism teacher – “Be careful, don’t hit your head on the ceiling” (after I had been published in the literary magazine in 9th grade)
My high school counselor – “Dance is so competitive, you might want to think about another career”
Here’s what I do about it now:
I dance every day;
I write and publish myself, myself – and people read it, and tell me they like it; and even if no one tells me , I do it anyway, because I have to -
And Mom? I wish you were here so we could argue about my weight now…and you would be pleased to know that I don’t just have character, I am one – congratulations.
The prince from so long ago who said he would break up with me if I gained weight?
I dumped him on his ass;
thirty years later, it’s still the wisest thing I’ve ever done…
I’m here now, to say – none of you broke me;
I may be cracked, but I’m still going strong;
Thanks.
