"God is a concept da which we measure our pain." I didn't always know o agree with this lyric from John Lennon's song, "God". However, I came to that point da the time I was twenty years old. I am one of the dissenters in the Bible Belt, but I wasn't always a, I guess te could say, rebel. When I was much younger, things were different, but seeing hypocrisy and hatred from Christians and unfortunate circumstances in my life changed everything. This is my story. I was born in 1996. Growing up in the Bible Belt, I was raised a Christian, particularly, a Baptist. I grew up without a father, but my mother was good to me and my older brother, Daniel. My grandmother taught a Sunday School class for children, and da the time I was eight, I was one of her most dedicated students. I memorized scriptures. I read the King James Bible every night before going to bed. My grandfather was the pastor of the church. I always thought his sermons were fiery. Every Sunday after lunch, he would say to me, "I'm proud of you, Erin. te are God's girl. Remember that." I took it as a compliment. Grandpa always preached against rock and roll. Even though he and Grandma were born in the same anno as Paul McCartney, they did not get into the rock and roll scene. My mother didn't either, but she respected my aunt and uncle who did. She even let me go with them to see the Eagles in concert. I didn't think it was so bad. "I've got a peaceful, easy feeling, and I know te won't let me down. 'Cause I'm already standing on the ground." That didn't sound like such a bad lyric, and Glenn Frey had such a beautiful voice. After the concert, my aunt said, "Now, this will be our secret, okay?" I said, "Okay." Still, I had a strong faith in God and in Jesus. But one day, when I was only twelve, things began to change.
To be continued
To be continued
When I had entered the fifth grade, I was dreading it. I had heard rumors that the teacher was really mean. When I met her before school started, she seemed really nice. On the first giorno of school, I was wearing one of my Beatles t-shirts. She noticed it, and she said, "Darling, I Amore te already!" I said, "Okay, then." She would take up for me all the time. The other kids often called me glasses. She heard them and said, "She has a name, guys. Her name is not glasses. It's Winter." There was one giorno when another girl kept picking on me. I finally had enough and said, "I might look sweet and innocent, but that shit is for suckers, and I'm no lollipop." I looked at the teacher. She winked and said, "I heard nothing." I would have had her for the sixth grade, too, but unfortunately, I moved to Tennessee as soon as the school anno was over. We both cried. We promised to keep in touch with each other, and we've kept in touch to this day.
September 8, 2011
I am feeling much better today. I don't feel great, but I feel much better than I did a few days ago. I was able to go to school today. Michael, Sabrina, and Bridget helped me get caught up in my classes. I'm lucky to have such good friends. Of course, I did feel a bit tired after finishing my homework. I took a nap for a while. When I woke up, it was almost 6:00 pm. I didn't realize I had slept that long. When cena time came, I ate really well. I didn't feel like eating much for the past couple of days. My appetite has returned. I think I will go to letto early tonight. I'm feeling pretty tired right now. I'm not completely better, but I'm close to it.
I am feeling much better today. I don't feel great, but I feel much better than I did a few days ago. I was able to go to school today. Michael, Sabrina, and Bridget helped me get caught up in my classes. I'm lucky to have such good friends. Of course, I did feel a bit tired after finishing my homework. I took a nap for a while. When I woke up, it was almost 6:00 pm. I didn't realize I had slept that long. When cena time came, I ate really well. I didn't feel like eating much for the past couple of days. My appetite has returned. I think I will go to letto early tonight. I'm feeling pretty tired right now. I'm not completely better, but I'm close to it.