Badger68

I am different. I've heard it all my life. The first half it was an insult, and I believed it and wanted to die. The past half it's been a compliment (whether it was offered as such or not), and I believe it and love being alive, and different, and in this world at this time.

I am harmless. It used to get me abused, but now I know I'm indestructible, so I give this gift freely. People need to feel safe, whether they're capable of valuing the gift or not. If they're too careless with it, they will have to give up my presence. I don't need to be unkind to them, only to have boundaries. I learned it; everyone can.

I am smart. Being so different already, I used to downplay the smart, but I found out that enough other people would do that for me, so I should just go with what I know. I can be confident without being arrogant.

I ache to help. If someone on the other side of the world stubs their toe, my toe hurts. It's a challenge. It's more of a challenge if you're also powerless, muted, insignificant, so I've decided not to be. I turned 40 this year, started school this fall, and am kicking its butt. I'll be in the game soon.

I always thought it would be a hoot if I were called Badger, and I moved to southern Mississippi and drank whiskey and wrote songs with someone named Fat Possum, so I call myself Badger.