Comments on: On Being Different

By: Sam Gaines

Sam Gaines — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:40:17 +0000

Wow. Just … wow. I am reminded of something I read recently, from Richard Rohr, a kind of outsider Franciscan monk: “If we aren’t transforming our pain, we are transferring it.” It’s so true.

Lark, you not only transform your pain, but—I speak here as one of your readers—you perform that magic for others, as well, through your writing. I can honestly say that I have experienced comfort and healing by reading your work, and have been inspired to encourage others in whatever ways I can by your example.

Now, on a simply superficial level: Hottie. You are one. Not a “normal hottie,” but they are a dime a dozen. It’s the unusual hotties who melt the heart! (:-} Would not change one thing about you, even if I could.

More importantly, though, I and many others are blessed by your gift. While I rue the suffering you’ve endured because of your frailties, you encourage me to accept my own. I was severely mauled by a dog when I was 5, and the massive swelling of my face and head made me look horrible until years of surgery corrected it. Kids were very cruel, and since we moved a lot, I ran into that over and over again. I wanted to be someone else, anyone else. For different reasons, that wrong impulse still dogs me, no pun intended. But I am learning to accept the scars, the lopsided head, and the many other limitations that come with life’s mishaps and diseases.

There is great light and life in you, and you let it shine. We are all warmed and illuminated you, my friend. Keep that light burning always!!!

By: JeremyCShipp

JeremyCShipp — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 05:33:57 +0000

This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing this, Melly!

By: gretchen

gretchen — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:51:41 +0000

hmmm…love you, am proud of you and am glad for your survival in this vicious world full of people who don’t have an iota of your vision and empathy. i am glad you see that those people (pretty, straight etc etc etc) who you/we are not, can be and often are, more miserable than they may appear. all those old sayings we hear but don’t really internalize until whenever, ARE true…beauty is only skin deep; the most important things are not things; can’t judge a book by it’s cover. love you dear…you have given me the experience of a daughter that i would NEVER had had without you….had you been a svelt, 5’8″ cheerleader who spent hours preening and worrying about what boys’ head you turned, i would never have loved you as i do or been to honored to call you daughter………….gretchen

By: bheandraoi

bheandraoi — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:03:34 +0000

Absolutely terrific post! I know where you are coming from in so many ways – tall, freckled, not-so-skinny redhead with a preacher for a dad caused major self-esteem issues. And like you I am learning to come out of that and be who I am meant to be. You are a blessing & I so enjoy your tweets & your blog – thanks for sharing you with me -

By: Lark

Lark — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:14:55 +0000

Thank you all so much for reading and responding. Wow…you all bless me with such love. I just can’t say how much I adore you all and what an inspiration each of you is.

By: Lucie

Lucie — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:11:05 +0000

Melly!! *hugs* forever. You are my inspiration!!

By: Tisch

Tisch — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:09:12 +0000

This post rocks my socks off! There’s a beauty within & around you that is unmatched. Since we’ve met, I’ve been so deeply blessed with your support, kind words and authentic self. You spread love every day, in every way. THAT, my love, is Goddess earthbound.

By: Kathi

Kathi — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:02:25 +0000

Sweetie… Although you are my cousin, for most of your life, I never really knew you at all, except by report, as you lived far away from me. But I’ve gotten to know you the past 5 years and to watch some of the struggles you describe above. I could sense there was a darkness in your soul that was heart-wrenching, since I also know how much you are loved. So, it is with great joy I have watched you bloom and blossom over the past year, as you have slowly allowed a different story to take root in you. I have seen your self love and acceptance emerging, day by day, through your notes in Facebook and occasionally when we meet in person. There is a lightness, a happiness, a hopefulness and a joy about you now that surely was not evident before. It is so wonderful to watch.

Although I am not burdened by anything so severe as Turners, I am extremely short too and for much of my life was terminally shy and definitely behind in emotional maturity growing up, so I truly do understand feeling like an outsider and not believing that others could love and accept you for who you are. Those feelings were reinforced in me when my marriage ended because my husband left me for another woman. Like you, I had to reawaken to my possibilities and make a conscious choice to let others in once again in order to experience all that life has to offer. It’s a journey and we’ll all take some missteps, but if you allow it, it can be miraculous.

So good for you that you’re embracing yourself, life and the future so completely now. I am so proud of you and happy for you!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:02:15 +0000

Hi Lark,
Great post! Yes, it’s time to create our new stories, isn’t it, and, as you say here, to bring the wisdom from the old ones with us.
Lots of love,
Nancy

By: The Voice

The Voice — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:59:40 +0000

Thank you for the post. Your words echoed a lot of feelings I have had myself. I believe differences enable us to be compassionate and awesome writers. We are in the best field.