I’ll never be one of those tall, elegant model types. For me, at 5’3”, it’s never going to happen. I’ll also never be the mysterious stranger or completely happy-go-lucky and carefree. And I have great rhythm when the music's on, but turn the music off, and I’m a total klutz. But, I am who I am.
I can become so caught up in my own thoughts that I don’t always look around me to see what obstacles are in my path. I have a friend that I’ve known since childhood. She knows how easily I can trip, fall, or run into things. Even now, when we’re talking and walking down the street together, she’ll say pole or curb, right in the middle of the sentence. I know to look up, move over, and we just keep going.
When I went to Spain for my college study abroad, I thought, “Oh good! None of my classmates know me. I’m going to be cool and not trip all of the time.” On our very first day in Madrid, as we were walking to catch the metro BAM! I skidded down a handful of stairs, nearly wiped out, and luckily a few hands reached out to grab me. When we got back up to street level, I walked less than five steps and BAM! I fell right into a pothole. Well, the game’s up. I guess I’ll just have to settle for being me.
I am who I am, even if that means I may stumble and fall. I’m thankful to have friends who will look out for me and help me stay on the right path. And when I fall flat on my face, literally or figuratively, they are there to help me laugh about it...even when I’m so embarrassed that all I really want to do is cry.