Throughout most of my childhood, I was extremely shy and preferred to fly under the radar. But I also wanted to be seen. How can these contradictory statements both be true? It’s complicated and I don’t fully understand it myself, but this dichotomy has weaved its way throughout my whole life. Ultimately, I think we all want to be seen and understood, whether we are shy or the life of the party. But for me, and perhaps for many of you, it has always felt like a huge risk to put myself out there. Labeled as “sensitive” early on, I found that people tended to tread lightly around me, sometimes so lightly that I wondered if I were invisible.
I often felt like I was plunked into the wrong world. Nothing fit. I didn’t fit. I preferred the imaginary world I created–an escape from, what I considered, harsh reality.
In this self-created world, my stuffed animals held regular meetings on my bedroom floor. I talked to myself or created my own dramas– elaborate storylines in which I played every part. I took walks in the woods where my tree friends spilled their secrets. In this imaginary world, I felt important. I was quite literally the center of the Universe. But my perception of the real world was very different.
When I was in 4th grade I decided to run away. I don’t remember why. I was mad at my mother and sister for some perceived wrongdoing. I do remember feelings of immense anger and jealousy and somehow, it felt justified. So, at the wise age of 10, I made the courageous decision to strike out on my own. I remember packing a little red suitcase. It was old, maybe even given to me by one of my grandparents. Back then suitcases were just that—rectangle cases—hard and smooth, with one curved handle and no wheels. I packed the essentials: a few stuffed animals, a copy of “Stuart Little,” a dress (you never know if you’ll be invited to a party), one pair of socks, a brush, and some Tinkerbelle lotion.
I closed the suitcase and pushed on the latch, feeling a sense of satisfaction as I heard it click. I took a glance around my room. It was mid-afternoon and sunlight streamed through the windows. I felt a pang of guilt as I scanned the room and saw my remaining stuffed animals on the bed, their blank little eyes looking back at me. But I was determined. I headed down the driveway and as I got to the end, I turned back. From this vantage point, I could see my Mother, kneeling in the garden. She had her back to me, happily preparing the soil. I remember hoping that she would turn around right at that moment. But she didn’t.
I took a left out of the driveway and started walking down our street, gripping my suitcase. Where was I going? I had no idea. I only knew that I had to keep walking. My heart started beating faster as I passed the house of the neighborhood bully. “Please don’t be outside,” I thought. I quickened my pace until I was safely out of range. I took a right at the stop sign and continued on. I started to notice kids pointing to me and laughing. My cheeks burned, but I think my anger kept me going. Looking back, I’m a bit shocked that not one adult thought anything was amiss as I trudged down the street.
After what seemed like hours (it was probably no more than 10 minutes), I noticed that it was getting cooler. Suddenly I started to panic. Just like that, I did an about-face and started back home. I rationalized that my Mom was probably sufficiently worried and that was punishment enough. I had taught her and my sister a lesson and made my point. They would be so relieved to see me that I would be forgiven for making them sick with worry. But as I turned into the driveway, there was my Mom, still gardening, still with her back to me. She didn’t know I had left. I just stood there, incredulous. I was flooded with embarrassment and self-pity. I returned to my room, unpacked my little red suitcase, and cried. I wanted to scream “See me!” But I didn’t have the guts. And even if I had, I couldn’t articulate why it was so important to me.
Our poor parents. But they clapped after every song and I felt exhilarated as I took my final bow in my friend’s family room.
After a year or so I learned that mimicking people was a great way to garner positive attention. If I couldn’t be interesting on my own, I would simply copy people. I entertained my family with imitations of my teachers or characters from TV shows. In 5th grade, I decided to put on a variety show. “Donny and Marie” was a favorite of mine at the time, and served as my inspiration. My best friend was a willing participant. My sister, however, was not. We coerced our younger siblings to be in the show. Honestly, I’m not sure why they went along with it. If I remember correctly, we used an eclectic mix of albums: “Free to Be, You and Me,” Linda Ronstadt’s “Greatest Hits,” and Anne Murray’s “You Needed Me” (don’t ask). Our poor parents. But they clapped after every song and I felt exhilarated as I took my final bow in my friend’s family room. What a rush!
During my Middle School years, I participated in chorus. There were three chorus teachers and each year they worked together to produce a musical. Everyone was required to try out. Gulp. In 5th grade, our class performed “The King and I.” During tryouts, the girls had to sing “Getting to Know You.” I was so nervous that I nearly fainted. The chorus teachers were underwhelmed. I was relegated to the part of “chorus” which meant that I had to sit at the foot of the stage with the other outcasts and sing along with all the musical numbers. In 6th grade I fared a little better, being cast as “Rug Beater #2” in the big “Who Will Buy” number in “Oliver!” My acting chops were tested as I, along with Rug Beater #1 and #3, sang along with the cast, beating our bath mats from K-mart. Unfortunately, on the night of the show, I had the flu and never made my big debut. Curses!
In 7th grade, something amazing happened. The class was trying out for “Guys and Dolls.” As usual, I was scared to death, but being an “upperclassman” not as shaky as in previous years. The girls had to sing “I’ll Know.” When it was my turn, I walked in front of the class and waited for my cue. I started to sing, and after only two lines, one of the chorus teachers, Miss Stinson, cut in and asked me to stop. I felt a knot in my stomach. What had I done wrong? She walked up to me and whispered “I know you’re scared, but I want you to sing it again. You have a beautiful voice.” Then she turned to the class and said “I’m going to have Carol sing it again. Listen to her voice.”
I sang again, feeling a bit out of body, my soprano voice filling the room. When I finished, both teachers applauded. Amazingly, so did the class. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life and I will always be grateful to Miss Stinson. Although I didn’t get a lead, due to the fact that I wasn’t able to project my voice enough, I did compete in the Massachusetts District Chorus, ranking 2nd in my region. These special moments gave me a boost of confidence that carried me for a long time.
Over the years I have struggled to find my voice, to have a presence, and be seen. This has been true in both my personal and professional lives. It’s been a challenging part of my life’s journey and the experience has shown up in many forms.
I could provide a boatload of examples, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter. I’ve come to learn that these experiences are all about me and have been put in my life to help me grow. There is no one to blame. Still, even now, although less frequent, I encounter people who talk over me or dismiss me. I’m still sensitive (although now I’m grateful for this quality), but it can still sting. At these times, my younger self comes to mind. I see the defiant little girl, packing her old suitcase full of treasures, headed on a journey, destination unknown. I feel proud of her courage but also feel sad for her. I wish I could tell her it’s ok. You’re loved, you’re special, and I see you.
Wonderful as usual, Carol, and again, it resonates with me. I was second of ten, so pretty much invisible most of my childhood. I left home at 14, yes, with a red suitcase, to join a catholic seminary. Looking back now, I see that my intention was never really to be a priest; my intention was to be seen, and to get attention. Did it ever work, too! A priest? Wow! That’s wonderful! Well… I gave that schtick up pretty quickly when I entered puberty, and discovered girls, and yadda, yadda, yadda. But I still crave attention, which is why, like you, I write all the time. Thanks for the piece.
Haha–love this, Byron! Thanks so much for sharing a little slice of your “red suitcase moment.”
I loved your story, Carol. Entertaining and meaty. I ran away twice myself. At 4 I packed a pair of clean underwear and a pair of socks (Mom always said I should have clean underwear in case I got hurt) into a bandana and walked to the end of the block. I sat down on the curb because I was not allowed to cross the street if I saw a car and there was a car parked about 4 blocks away. I sat and sat waiting for the car to go away. Unbeknownst to me the elderly lady that lived at the corner was watching me from her living room window. She finally came out and invited me in for cookies and milk, and it just so happened that my mother came over to visit while I was there.
The second time was when I was 14 and I joined the circus that came through town. The police raided the circus two weeks later on the other side of the state and took all the underage kids home, me included.
Hi Ken,
Thanks so much for sharing these stories. I love that your mother made a “surprise” visit to come get you. I think you need to write a story about the time you joined the circus. Now THAT sounds like an adventure! 🙂
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my article!
Carol
What a gorgeous story and beautiful synchrony – just this week I led a webinar about the fear of being seen and the tension that creates, given we also want to be seen. But the “I” that wants to be seen isn’t really us. I saw in your bio that you’ve done a lot of exploration for yourself and that higher self you connected to is the real you. The tussle between I want to be seen but I’m scared to be seen is a foreground mind-war, and inevitable as that survival aspect uses its programming to try and navigate the complexity of life. Who you really are has no concept of being seen or not being seen. It’s just this. Thank you so much for sharing.
You’re so right, Helen! It took me a long time to learn that lesson. But, I do believe that everything unfolded in Divine Timing.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful feedback.
Carol
Carol, This is a beautiful story. I could relate to your conversations with inanimate objects. All the trees in the yard (and there were many), of the home I was born in had a name and I was their teacher, The pimento tree got a lot of punishment because it was always late with his homework or forgot to do it. So glad you returned home safely and without encountering the neighborhood bully. The sting of not being missed is still there but happy you can laugh about it now and we laugh with you. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks so much, Yvonne! I’m so glad someone else can relate to my conversations with the trees. I laughed out loud reading how the pimento tree “got a lot of punishment.” I agree, thankfully we can look back at these memories, laugh, and see how far we’ve come.
Carol
I love this story. One single act of kindness can mean the world for someone struggling. I am so impressed with your teacher who gave you the chance and how you seized the moment. Kindness cost us nothing and it can have a profound impact in the world.
I completely agree, Frank. It costs absolutely nothing and only takes a matter of seconds to change someone’s life.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my article.
Carol
Hi, Carol, and thanks.
I’m shy and introverted myself and I stutter, so protecting myself from ‘exposure’ was a well-learned theme. Then I discovered that we can’t stutter when we sing, and everything changed. I sang for my supper for lots of years, and when I speak, I’m actually singing, just in a very narrow range of notes. If I wasn’t a stutterer, I never would have realized that our voice is not simply a drain for the brain, but an instrument.
Be good. And well.
Mac
That’s amazing, Mac! Thank you so much for sharing. It IS an instrument.
What a heartfelt story, Carol! I love your humor mixed with the sadness. Singing is a powerful tool. I can associate well with your experiences. Thank you for sharing these memories!
Hi Maria,
Thanks so much! I only wish I had stuck with the singing. Now it’s mainly in the car! Still, I love it. 🙂
Carol, your description of childhood; seeing things is a different perspective and looking back remembering vivid moments or minutes contributing to the person you are today. You spelled out in such a moving manner your childhood experiences and how the memory re-visits those times. Your essay has certainly enlivened many of my childhood memories! Including being a ten year old at a boarding prep school when on stage with a fellow pupil doing conjuring tricks. His was fine! Mine? The gadgets all fell onto the stage. Shock horror. I turned it into a sort of joke! The, the headmaster and his wife started to applaud and the whole school joined in. Vivid as if it yesterday.
Thank you Carol for sharing your childhood memories.
Simon .
Thanks Simon! Oh I love your story. It’s funny how things like that are so mortifying when we’re younger. But they do make for great stories later in life.
Carol, great storytelling. Thank you for sharing. I ran away on a regular basis. Mom called me her wayward son.
Thanks so much, Larry. Haha! Glad you found your way back home!