Day 30 - Open

I have been reading Andre Aggasi's autobiography - Open.  It is the right book for me at the right time.  I won't spoil it for you but he writes the real story (as well as any person can tell their own real story.)  The behind the scenes story.  What we saw as the public, what was really going on.

This resonates with me.  Probably for everyone.  I have known few people who live completely authentic lives.  We live behind smoke and mirrors that we create to be a more pallitable version of ourselves.  So much subterfuge to keep track of.  My sister and I always talk about what someone's story is.  The back story.  We have our own back story and most of it will never be told.

I learned this the hard way as a foster parent.  Going to a clinic with a sick child and being made to wait for hours because the nurse saw my address and was furious that I had a medicaid card.  She tried to humiliate and belittle me and then when she realized I was a foster parent she broke down and apologized profusely for misjudging me. 

At school.  Watching a teacher deny a child a chance to go on a field trip for not trying on the TAKS test.  The only child left behind in an entire grade.  A child that could not read the TAKS test because no one had taught her to read and had assumed her scores were poor because of her behavior.  Behavior brought on by unspeakable acts perpetrated against an innocent. 

Everyone has a story.  I have tried to spend time getting to know people instead of judging them or creating my own story for their life.  But, I fail.  Sometimes I need to be reminded how important it is to listen to someone, give them the benefit of the doubt and pray for them.  Thanks for the reminder Andre.