Growing Pains Closed

Summer of 2024

Shame, Shame, Shame. How do we deal with it, and how do we avoid its stranglehold? If you let your past define you, it’s a disservice to your spirit. In our human journey, we must identify the core weaknesses of our physical body and mind, and understand that the answer is not always within reach. Furthermore, defining the “right choice” may be its own risky endeavor. The snakes in the grass may be hidden from the eye, but they influence us nonetheless. What is there to cling to, to ensure a clear sight. A vision uncensored by forces of opposition, enabling truth to prevail.

What is the recipe to provide deliverance from shame, acceptance? Admittance? Penance? And if we execute in our recovery, what then do we do to avoid a poisonous breach to occur again? Do we remind ourselves of the past mistakes as a way to avoid repeating them? Or do we relegate them to our subconscious in an omnipresent suppression, only to display a crack upon a precision strike of truth.

The hell is he on about now… A precise strike would land each moment Thomas Lestrange set foot into the site of his therapy sessions near New Romney, England. In his case, the shame of the past was a revolving topic of focus. Thomas Lestrange must learn with the rest of us, confronting his shame was the door to freedom. There was beauty in the process, the once spineless Slytherin formed a bone of much needed humility. The forced reflection in his sessions provided a platform for the boy to move forward in his pursuit of simply accepting himself.

“Mr.Lestrange. How are you today?”

“I’m well, sir. And you?”

“Oh I’m quite well, thank you for asking.”

“There was a homeless woman in front of your office today.”

“Oh? Was she bothering you?”

“No no. She didn’t ask for anything…well, nothing like that. She asked if I would pray for her.”

“I see… and will you?”

“I’m not sure yet, I mean… I’m not sure what good it will do, you know? What power can a few words or thoughts make?”

“Well, Thomas. It’s not about the words you say, or how many. What matters is if you believe in them.”

“Did you read that from a Sparks novel, sir?”

“Now Thomas…I suppose a better question would be, do you believe people deserve help that cannot help themselves? Or does this man deserve the position he’s in?”

“Well, I don’t know…”

“Correct.”

“Sir?”

“You and I both don’t know why this woman is in this position she is in today, to the point she seeks help from strangers on the street. Nor is it our place to know.”

“I’m not sure what you’re saying, sir.”

“Do you think she is worth helping, or don’t you?”

Thomas remained silent.

“Now, shall we talk about your upcoming semester…at uhh, Warthogs Independent School?”

Roughly thirty minutes later Thomas exited the building to find the same homeless woman still along the brick wall on the building’s side, draped in thick blankets. As Thomas passed, the woman called out once more. “Thank you, young man.” Thomas’ pace slowed as he turned to face the woman with a shrug. “I-” The woman smiled and shook her head. “Earlier this morning they told me I have to move away from the building.” Her voice was softly cracking, tears staining her dry cracked skin. “But after you went inside, a man came out and said I can sleep in one of the empty patient rooms for today.” Thomas narrowed his eyes, during his meeting with the counselor there was no one else present in the room, thus making it impossible that he in any way influenced the staff of the building to help this woman. She reached out to Thomas with a shaky hand “Truly, thank you. But…can you please help me once more…just to get inside.” The woman removed the blankets from where her legs should be. After today, Thomas did believe something new. That everyone, no matter their position, deserves help.