As most of you know, I am currently in grad school to get my MA in Psych. In one of my classes today our professor handed out a piece of blank paper and crayons and asked us all to draw the first time in our lives we felt we were different from others. After we drew them, we hung them on the wall and took turns describing each experience. It was incredible to learn all the different experiences others had at very young ages that have played a major part in forging who they are today. I'm telling you all of this because I wonder what people will describe online, especially because you have the opportunity to be anonymous in your comments. I would love it if you would comment on this blog with the first time in your life that you felt you were different from others (this can mean different in any sense you might interpret, it doesn't have to be limited to race, gender, ethnicity, abilities, etc).
To give you an idea, here's mine:
I drew 7 little kids holding hands all with the same t-shirts on with the Korean flag printed on the shirts. 6 of these kids were Korean adoptees and the 7th was me - white as can be with brown curly hair and big green eyes. This drawing was the first time I went to Korean Heritage camp after Macy and Jordie were adopted. I remember complaining to my mom one day after camp how uncomfortable I felt to be the only white kid there at the camp. She wisely responded "Now you know what the adoptees feel like every day when they go to school, church or even at home in a primarily white environment." That was one of the best lessons I've ever learned and I am grateful for it.
That was mine, what's yours??
Sara, I have two, one of which may seem more trivial than the other, but both of which left lasting impressions.
ReplyDeleteThe first was when I realized that, literally, my mother dressed me funny. Seriously, my mother had no fashion sense and absolutely no interest in clothes, either her own or her children's. For her, clothes were a purely utilitarian part of life, and she gave no thought to what she bought for us other than appropriate size and reasonable cost. I was embarrassed by my clothes for many years, until I finally was able to communicate to my parents just how much my clothes upset me. Now that I have children of my own, you can bet that I make sure that the clothes they wear will never give them cause for embarrassment!
The second instance was when I realized that the shortened achilles tendon problem I was born with was truly a physical limitation. It happened at a classmate's skating party. I did not have enough strength in my right leg to balance on the skate. I literally was the only kid in my class who could not roller skate, and it was an troubling realization, and the teasing of my classmates didn't help any, either.
-Jessica
I remember the first time i felt "different". It was elementary school when mom's would always take/pick up their kids from school. The times when it was "take your daughter" to work day. I looked around and thought how I wish i could experience those little moments with my mom. My mother passed away when i started 1st grade. But my dad did a great job filling in during those moments..I still count my blessings.=)
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