11/11/2025
They asked me...
How I survived...
Every lie
Every tear I cried
Fell into my fairytales
Creating rivers
Carrying me away
To breathe
Another day...
~ ©️ Anna M. Ortiz 2025
Sidenote:
Good morning, loves! Have you ever been asked how you managed to stay sane throughout your life? Have you ever been asked how you manage to remain optimistic? I've questioned this quite often about both. To start with, I don't believe I am sane. Level-headed, maybe, grounded, most of the time, but sane, not a chance! You don't go to Wonderland with a rational brain, lol.
I once watched an autobiographical film about Richard Pryor. What stuck with me was not only how horrific his childhood was, but also his survival mechanism. It was very similar to mine. When asked what got him through, his answer was simple: "My imagination," he'd said. We carried the same set of keys to open the bolted doors. Doors others tried to lock, placing weights in front of them. It takes years to build the courage to move those weights out of your way once you open that door! Some, you hold onto, like a weighted blanket. I still own one.
Josephine came home from school yesterday and told me about a girl getting picked on for being openly gay. It broke my heart. Of course, our daughter stuck up for the girl, and that brought me a sigh of relief. I thought, "We've not only raised our children to be kind and empathetic, but they have compassion for others."
My favorite conversations with Max and Josephine are the open ones. We don't sugarcoat things, and we ask them questions. I want them always to know that adults do not know everything! So I asked them both why they think kids pick on other kids. Josephine's answer was very articulate.
"Usually, the kids who pick on the other kids get picked on too. There is one girl in school, though, who's really popular, and she thinks she can say anything mean to anyone she wants, but when someone goes back at her, she doesn't like it."
The conversation got even deeper. We discussed what the word "entitlement " means, and I learned that when my kids are upset, they use their imagination to escape. Josephine's escape is books. That child has her nose in a book every chance she gets! Max, on the other hand, is a builder of worlds! Both our children love Minecraft. I can see why.
So, you see, a child's imagination can be their most excellent defense if it is appropriately guided. My father was my guidance. Books were my lighthouse. What we feed our imagination significantly influences how we perceive the world. I've continually told our children that monsters exist and to be leery because those monsters wear human skin and can smile warmly, hiding razor teeth.
Trust your gut.
Tears help you float.
Bad days eventually pass.
Hold onto your silver linings
Some things will stay with you. Learn from them.
The sun will shine bright, but on the days it doesn't, you make your own sunshine.
Most importantly.
Never, ever lose your wonder.
So when asked how I remain so positive, my answer is that of Richard Pryor: imagination. Have a wonderful day, my loves! I have an IEP meeting for Max this afternoon and some running around to do. Have a fun-filled, creative day! Keep your heart light!
All my love,
Anna.
~ ©️ Anna M. Ortiz 2025
Lost in the Background Poetry, Prose, & Blog
