Growing up can be difficult, especially if life has “shaped” you in a way that made you feel like an outcast.

 

As you navigate the sometimes rough seas, at times, you feel as if you are drowning. And then the unexpected happens and . . .

 

 

You Wonder Why

 

     The sky was bright blue. The clouds were beautiful, white, and puffy. A gentle breeze rustled my hair. With my eyes glued to the beauty of nature, I stood in awe.

     “Hey, ‘Marshmallow Man,’ what’re you staring at?” a jock asked in a way that made me shake.

     I felt as if an arrow had pierced my peaceful existence. At seventeen, my pride had been injured once more. The humiliation was overwhelming.

     And then something strange happened. Two large, puffy clouds, with big blue eyes and smiles on their faces, danced through the sky. I no longer felt alone. Then an airplane appeared from behind the clouds dragging a message, “Be yourself. Be strong.”

     “Didn’t you hear me, jerk?” my abuser hollered.

     I sucked in my belly, puffed out my chest, and displayed muscles bulging from my arms—muscles I’d never seen before. Then something I didn’t expect occurred. No longer a boy, I had the strength of a man—a man with a purpose.

     A crowd formed in the schoolyard, but they weren’t laughing at me. They began to applaud. And one yelled, “You’re the man.”

     I wondered why this happened—a potential disaster turning into a “blessing in disguise.” My eyes moved from my mocker and scanned the throng of unanticipated supporters. And with my head held high, I said, “Thank you,” and moved toward a future with promise.

 

 

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