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The Perfect Boy…
Photo by Jeff Elstone
My third grade teacher Miss Brown wrote on my report card:
“Eddie is a very sensitive child, wants attention, and needs reassurance.
He expresses himself wonderfully through his artwork, is quite creative, and has a flair for play-acting. He really puts himself into it and does quite a good job.”
I’d just finished watching ‘Lady of Burlesque’ with Barbara Stanwyck on the mid-day movie. Creating a perfect world for myself; through books and movies- became equal parts art form and salvation. Now, with painstaking care, I attempted to recreate Barbara’s glittering gown with my watercolor brush. Mom and Aunt Phyllis came out with a fresh pitcher of sweet tea and joined me at the old picnic table that sat alone in the far corner of our back yard. Standing behind me, sipping sweet tea from a tupperware tumbler I can remember my Aunt Phyllis saying “My goodness! Won’t it be interesting to see who Eddie marries.”
I wanted to be the perfect boy.
A perfect boy would do exactly as asked.
A perfect boy would be loved by everyone around him because he was so perfect. But the journey to being loved had nothing to do with being that perfect boy.
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You ARE and always have been that “Perfect Boy” in my eyes. Love you and “Farm Stories”. XOXO <3 🙂
Kathy- Perhaps like beauty, perfection is in the eye of the beholder. Am grateful for our long and loving friendship. Thank you for reading Farm Stories.
xoxo
Always striving to be someone we’re not–someone who is approved by all. Too bad we didn’t know back then that the person we wanted to be doesn’t actually exist. So glad your mother was so supportive of you! You make my heart happy, Eddie. Never give up on writing!
Kat- Funny, as much as we all wanted universal approval that which really got our attention and held interest was anything but universal. Being on the fringe we were drawn to that which seemed unusual and unappealing to the majority. Why did fight that which in the end we cherished-Authenticity. Thank you for your beautiful support and heart.
xoxoxo
You are what you feel in your heart. Which in my eyes is a perfect person. Love you Eddie. So glad I can follow your life a little my friend. I am so lonely since Jean died. I feel I have friends on Facebook. You haven’t talked about Jeff lately. Everything ok. Love you Farm Stories. Keep up the great work
Bill- Can’t imagine how much you miss your Jean. I’m so sorry Bill…
Yes, eventually one must look inside, accept and embrace to find real happiness and inner peace.
Thank you so much for reading and adding your voice to Farm Stories.
Much love…
xo
Everyone needs to have a teacher like Mrs. Brown….I think she made each one of us feel special in our own way. Keep writing Eddie. Its a gift.
Martha- Makes me smile knowing Mrs.Brown left us with such a beautiful and positive impression. Can’t imagine a better legacy for a teacher. Thank you for reading and supporting Farm Stories…
xoxo
dear, sweet Eddie….don’t you see that you ARE perfect…and always have been…
Perfect in every way! xoxo
Janet- I’m grateful to have learned that being everyone else’s version of perfection isn’t something I need to worry about achieving… Happiness rules…. Thank you for supporting Farm Stories. It truly means so much to me….
xoxoxo