“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.” -Charlie Chaplin.
Through my recovery I’ve discovered an invisible divide. Even when surrounded by people in the general public, I felt as if I was on the other side of a chasm. Because while I could physically reach out and touch another person, they were still miles away. I could voice what I was going through, but nothing quite explains it like shared experience does. Fortunately, that chasm feels like it’s getting more narrow. I’ve even found myself happy when a friend came to me with something scary or possibly tragic that had happened. While I certainly don’t wish for anything bad to befall them, I found myself becoming comfortable in the space of rehabilitation(mind,body,and soul) it was in these places where broken people came to be “fixed,” that I was at ease. Am I broken? No, but perhaps the world would generally see it that way. It was in rooms for rehabilitation, that I wished my friends could be there too. As if it were some type of inclusive club, I wanted them to join too. If common interests bring two people into friendship, it’s a tragedy that can truly meld them together. I didn’t like being on the other side of an invisible wall watching the world pass by me. A world that had jobs,social lives,significant others,the ability to drive,independence,freedom,and went to bed every night without having to wear braces or go to therapy, but generally their time was spent how they wanted. I felt as though my life,time,and freedom of choice had been hijacked by the most evil of beings. I desired to bring a friend into my “fishbowl,”not to commiserate, but to relate. Bonds are built and strengthened when you go through a tragedy with someone. It beats you up initially, then it leaves you open. In the aftershock,you stumble around and bump into other confused victims. In meeting them you can understand and relate to the bandages that both of you now need. I don’t consider myself a victim,but rather a survivor,and what do survivors do? They take the lessons learned to rebuild, fight back, and become stronger. Because of that initial beating I’ve had to rebuild too and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
– Keep on your boxing gloves,
