MIRACLE FROM 83rd STREET

By Dr. Kiya Immergluck

I have always hated high school. Even now, that I'm technically a senior citizen, I think about those awful times and can feel badly about my teenage self. I grew up in the 1950's, and if you didn't look like a blonde cheerleader, you were out of luck.

I was suffering from all of the teenage angst over my looks: I wore "Coke bottle" glasses, had bad skin and braces on my teeth. My self-esteem was very low and I was subjected to the cruelty of both boys and girls who didn't miss a chance to tell me how "ugly" I was. Forget about dating! If I wanted to go to a high school dance in Chicago, I had to beg my first cousin to come in from Indiana and be my pretend "date."

Last year, a high school classmate found me on the Internet and asked if I would be willing to be on the committee to plan our 50th High School Reunion. I was very honest with her. I told her that I would attend the Reunion because I was very curious how our "Medicare" selves would look in comparison to the 16 year old kids we used to be. I promised I would attend, but I couldn't possibly serve on a committee to celebrate the single worst period of my life.

Later, for the bios we all wrote, I mentioned again that although my life has been mostly very good since 1961, that I had very bad memories of that most awful time in my life. I didn't even realize the irony of my statement, because I mentioned in a later paragraph that I was a breast cancer survivor. Classmates who read my bio were shocked: "She had a bout with cancer and high school was worse?"

I went with very low expectations. If I've had no reason to speak to any of these people for half a century, what will I say to them now? Then the miracle happened. Every single person I greeted, male or female, was very glad to see me. One group of women said to me: "We couldn't believe that you hated high school. We remember you as smart and funny and very active in school activities."

Several guys hugged me and said they recognized me because I "look the same." At first, I was insulted because I thought I look a lot better now then I did back then. Mygood friend set me straight: "You idiot: they mean that as a COMPLIMENT!" One guy said to me, "You look terrific." Best of all, a guy who was one of the cute ones in high school and was still an attractive older man, said to me: "I will always remember you: you were the first girl I ever kissed!" I have no memory at all of this event, but he told me that when we were 9 years old, we were at a party and played Spin the Bottle.

I had a wonderful time at my Reunion, and Miracle of Miracles, this lonely unhappy teenage girl from 83rd Street on the South Side of Chicago felt totally healed. Yes, I had some unpleasant experiences during those four years, but my classmates reminded me that they weren't all bad. It reminded me of a book I read years ago: "It's Never Too Late to Have a Happy Childhood." I can look back on those days now with a whole new perspective.

I look forward to the next Reunion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Kiya Immergluck is a Psychotherapist, Energy Coach, Addictions Counselor and Marriage & Child Therapist. She focuses most of her Energy Coaching and Training in the greater Chicago area, and she has taught Workshops and Retreats in California, Florida and Washington. Kiya offers telephone and SKYPE sessions anywhere in the world. Her specialties include self-esteem, phobias, and addiction issues. Her website is:www.eft-tap.com and her e-mail is: kiya at eft-tap.com. Kiya has written several books to help pre-school children learn tapping techniques.