The Flower Girl: Ydnic

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Ydnic

Today a strange thought came to my mind. I imagined what it would be like if I was the girl in my class who was overweight and awkward. How would it feel to always be stared at disapprovingly and disdainfully? To be considered by the world's standards as "weird"? What must have gone through the mind of this 15-year old who summoned all her courage to brave those stares and sing on stage? I wonder if she really heard the snickers that preceded the cruel joke played on her next? Maybe she desperately wanted to believe the smiles were genuine, and that for once, she felt acceptance.

How she endured 11 years as "The Weirdo" I will never know. It has been 6 years since I last heard from her. I always hoped that God had a secret plan for her. I longed to see the day she would emerge a poised and successful woman.

Imagine the weight in my heart when I recently discovered she had lost her father. Probably the only other person besides her mother who loved and accepted her for the person she was. Memories of him delivering her lunch to the classroom flooded my mind. I'm sure at that time it caused her a great deal of embarrassment and yet another reason for her bullies to tease her. But today even I, a bystander, mourn silently at the thought.

I hope God lets her in on the plan He has for her.

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"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Gospel of Matthew 5:3-10

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann
1872 to 1945

The Confused History of "Desiderata"