A Chapter of my Life

I’ll start off by saying I like the description of this challenge, and how they tell us to sink into the vast reservoirs of our memory to write a chapter of our lives.

I often find myself drifting off and sinking into the vast abyss of my memory, remembering my past despite the fact that my tales of old, eldritch horrors haunt me. It’s where the echoes of my past resonate with both pain and triumph.

There was a time in my life when the world seemed to conspire against me, a time when I was bullied and tormented relentlessly in school. Despite not wanting to think about this, flashbacks constantly pop into my head, terrorizing me to this day, even haunting my dreams and causing me to wake up screaming.

They whispered harsh words, mocking me, mocking everything I aspired to be, dashing my hopes and dreams, and telling me I would never accomplish or achieve anything with my life because I was a loser. Yet, here I stand now, a testament to my resilience and ability to always bounce back, and my unwavering ambition.

The turning point in my life, a moment I will always be grateful for, came during my senior year in high school. It was a time of darkness and depression, as had been most of my life up to that point, and I felt as though I couldn’t go on much longer. I was constantly being told I was a loser and being pushed around, and worse, I had no friends to lean on and the bullies never seemed to get in trouble for their disgusting actions.

In the midst of my dark moment, a flicker of hope had emerged. A pretty blonde girl opened the door to my computer class, illuminating its frame in an angelic glow. She approached me, ME, and knew my name.

“I’d like to ask you a few questions about your poem you’ve submitted to the schools newspaper,” she said, telling me it was going to be published before proceeding to interview me.

I had always found comfort in the written word. My keyboard was my faithful companion, offering me an escape from the harsh realities that tormented me. I poured my heart and soul onto those pages, creating a world where I could be free, where my voice could soar unhindered. But did I ever expect to be published? Not a chance. Yet, the next day, there it was, printed in the high school newspaper, next to my picture. That day, instead of feeling like a loser, I was proud of myself.

A few days prior I had heard on the schools announcements that the newspaper at the school was looking for student written poetry. I was glad I entered. It was a chance to share a piece of my soul with the world, wether it was published or not. I submitted my poem, really not expecting anything to come of it. I was sure hundreds of students had submitted work, it was a big school, why would they choose mine?

A week had passed, and I had almost forgotten about the contest when the news arrived. My poem had been chosen as the winner, and not only was it going to be published in the school paper, but I got student spotlight.

In that moment, all I could think about was how exciting this was. The bullies that had taunted me were wrong, dead wrong. I had a talent, and it was written all over the front page of the paper. Eat that, garbage bullies.

The publication of my poem marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. It was validation of my worth as a writer, a confirmation that my words had power. Encouraged by my recognition, I delved even deeper into writing, taking writing courses and honing my skills and writing many, many more stories.

As the years went by, my work began to find its way into various publications, including the Sierra Club paper. Environmental stories about saving water, short stories, essays, and poems were all published, each time bringing me joy. With every publication, I felt a great pride, and a reassurance that I was on the right path.

In addition to writing, I happened to stumble upon a part-time job that also seems to be going well. I working at a small herb and spice distribution company, a job that’s fun and also pays.

The bullies, those who had once belittled my dreams, had no idea that I had found my calling, that I was crafting a life that defied their expectations. I had taken their hurtful words and transformed them into fuel, propelling me towards my dreams. The scars they had inflicted upon me had become a badge of honor, a reminder of the strength that resides within.

That past chapter of my life, with my moment of triumph that came in the form of the publication of my poem, remains a strong and wonderful memory for me. It serves as a reminder that no matter the obstacles I face, my dreams are always within my reach. I am a published writer, a disruptor of herbs, and in the continuous unfolding of my story, I will continue to write and publish my stories. I have also recently finished a book and am in the process of getting it published.

The bullies from my past were wrong, and their words have long since faded into insignificance and oblivion. Their eldritch tormenting is finally over.