The face.
I’m forced to look at it every day.
“You’re still there.”
I hear it and I know it.
But it doesn’t stop me from wishing that the face was normal.
My face doesn’t keep me from being ME.
But it keeps me from looking like me.
There are times that it doesn’t bother me.
I’m grateful, and I know I should be, that I’m here to complain.
Then I see the pictures of happier days. Smiling. Laughing. Yukking it up.
When I didn’t feel ugly.
Those are days when I feel the face.
Down to my toes.
Erma Bombeck said something that pretty much defines my approach to life.... "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say, "I used everything you gave me." If you switch the word TALENT for LOVE or LAUGHTER or HAPPINESS....it still stands.
Dawn Tucker: Hope by the time you're reading this you have a b...
Maggie S.: I wish you were here to explain stuff to my husban...
Susan in the Boonies: Thinking of you today, and wishing you the best....
Anissa Mayhew: I remember you! Were you standing with a man by th...
Anissa Mayhew: I'll tell on you!!!...
Today at Aiming Low
You are NOT ugly! The face, just like the rest of it, will get back to how it was, in time.
Kevin´s last post…Let The Nudity Begin
You are amazing, friend. With all of your strength, wisdom, gratefulness, inspiration, know that it is okay to still be pissed off. It is okay to be grateful for your life, while mourning the things you lost from the stroke. I know it is against your nature (being superwoman and all), but you don’t always have to be the pillar of strength. You are allowed to be angry, scared, sad and frustrated. It’s the combination of all of those things will push you to keep you moving forward. It’s those things that make you who you are. Beautiful, inside and out. Love you.
Another Hot Mess´s last post…I Go Down A Lot
I hear what you’re saying, I do. I’ve taken care of enough people during the aftermath of a stroke that I’ve learned that many times the task of coming to grips with a change in appearance is very often the most painful part of recovery.
That said, what we see when we look at you is just the same beautiful Anissa and one day you will see that, too. You are looking in the mirror with stroke-colored glasses now but that won’t always be your reality. One day you will look in and see what we see and feel that you’re finally back, when really, you were there the whole time.
Well, I think you are beautiful. I remember when I was a kid, a friend’s mom saw us reading an article in Teen Magazine about “What is your best feature” and she said, “What do you think is my best feature?” And before we could answer, she said “My mind.” I’ll never forget it.
Anissa, you are beautiful and smart and talented and have an amazing mind. And heart. Those are your best features.
Seeing you made my heart so happy I could cry.
I know what you mean and it SUCKS that you have to deal with that bullshit.
You are a simply beautiful lady and I don’t want you to ever ever ever feel ugly. You’re too pretty to be ugly.
Miss Grace´s last post…Hair Retrospective 3 of 3- post college to NOW
We always see the worst of ourselves, no matter what the flaw is we beat ourselves up because it isn’t perfect (or is that just me? Buelher?)
We need others to tell us, and make us believe, that we are always beautiful in their eyes. And theirs are the only eyes that really matter.
*smoochies and hugs*
In my eyes, you are beautiful.
HUGS!!! You are so beautiful but I can imagine that it must hurt to see your own changes. But we LOVE your face!!! We are THRILLED that we get to see it again!!!
Janice (5 Minutes for Mom)´s last post…Tackle it Tuesday — A New Freezer
I know you didn’t write this post as a fishing expedition which is what makes me ache for you. I don’t want you to believe that about yourself. What everyone above has said is SO TRUE. You are beautiful. So beautiful, both inside and out. You are radiant and so inspirational. Please believe it too. Because it’s the truth.
Lynn @ Walking With Scissors´s last post…You only lose your first baby tooth once
There is absolutely nothing ugly about you. You are 100% beautiful!
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy´s last post…What’s LURKING in YOUR toothbrush – The Case of the InvisibleNasties
Chica, when I saw you in New York you were glowing and beautiful and seeing your face made my heart want to explode with happiness. Then I saw that Padma supermodel from Top Chef and I was all “Meh”. True story. Your beauty shines from within.
That said? I feel the same way about all of my flaws and it sucks that you have to go through this. I know it’s not the same but sometimes I get eye infections that cause half my face to swell up and when that happens I put on a Veronica Lake style wig that hides half of my head. It helps even if it’s all in your head. We need to get you one of those.
I know you, I saw you, I hugged you, I stroked your hair. You are beautiful both inside AND out. Love you, lady.
Angella´s last post…Parenting Without A Manual
I think you’re so beautiful. I do.
Maggie, dammit´s last post…Ego
I think you’re beautiful. I didn’t know you before the stroke but I met you this year in New York … and you radiated so much wonderful-ness, there’s no body that could contain it. Honestly, I wish I had half your beauty and grace.
Twenty Four At Heart´s last post…People Dont Realize
I can only try to understand what you feel but I have to tell you how I see you. I see you as a survivor, as someone who will make it back, someone whose inner beauty shines through and dazzles those around her. Your face may not look as it use to look but I think it is a badge of honor…kind of like stretch marks are a badge of honor for those who have had children. You are beautiful inside and out.
Kristin´s last post…Happy- Happy Joy- Joy its ICLW time!
“Glorious” your word. still true. I can only relate to what you’re feeling from a different perspective and know what it’s like to hate to see what’s in the mirror. I hate your pain, Hate it for you……but you know what God sees. Glorious.
UGLY? Uh, no. There isn’t a thing about you that’s anything but gorgeous with a capital G. Fact.
Darlin, I am sure it’s hard to see it somedays – but you ARE beautiful. Inside and out.
Girl, I feel that way some days and I DIDN’T have a stoke. You’re beautiful to the core! I hear the smiles in your writing. Someday your face will catch up
*stroke, damn fingers.