Pants on Fire

Following the rules was never much my cup of tea.  It lacked excitement, the thrill of adventure.  Following the rules took patience; a virtue I will never acquire.  I acted on instinct alone, mostly. I was never one to listen when someone told me not to do something. I rarely thought to stop and question the consequences.

One thing I have always believed is that you should never compromise yourself or what you believe in.  Never let someone tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, especially when it comes to how you live your life.  No matter how inane; if it stirs your core, defend it.  I’ve always been considered the rebel of the family.  My actions, dress and mannerisms just didn’t suite the others.

I was categorized one of the “freaks” in high school.  Black became a staple shade in my wardrobe and shortly after came the shaved head.  Black nail polish and black lipstick accompanied striped stockings and piercings.  Unlike the majority of my classmates, I was almost not allowed into my Junior Homecoming dance.  In their eyes women should be in dresses with well-groomed hair.  I thought otherwise. 

I reached my limit at sixteen.  I dropped out of high school to move to Philadelphia with a few friends. My stint in Philly lasted a maybe six months in totem.  Upon my arrival back to Virginia I soon discovered Charlottesville.  It was everything that I’d searched for.  It was more accepting of change and appearance that what I had been used to.  I made an incredible amount of “undesirable” friends.  They weren’t upstanding in the eyes of society and I adored them. 

Soon after, I discovered the wonderful world of free-speech bumper stickers.  It was wonderful to have your beliefs posted over the entire backside of your vehicle.  It caused such a controversy in my family.  Once again I was the black sheep and talk of the family.  The girl with the anti-establishment and political opinion sticker plastered ford hatch-back.  The more they protested my stickers; the more I added.  My two favorites were “Question Authority” and my upside down American Flag.  Finally the family noticed and I was asked to remove my stickers before entering the driveway.  I was quite shocked at how upset they got when I refused. Requesting this of someone who has a “Question Authority” sticker on their vehicle?  As if they expected something other than my refusal.  As they say though: “Freedom of Speech is only Freedom of Thought”.

Fed up completely with living my life to the standards of others; I dropped out of my GED class and moved to Charlottesville.  It was there that I stayed for a decade. It was the best decision of my life.  Now that I am a mother, the main thing that I will instill in my daughter is to question everything.  Never sacrifice yourself or your beliefs; at any cost. Never let anyone dictate who or what you are to become.