Whenever I'm in a group of more than about three people, I think I turn invisible. It's always been that way; I've always been the person almost everyone forgets. Yes, part of that (probably a large part) is my fault, since I'm not loud or assertive or extroverted, and I usually don't make an attempt to be memorable. I'm not gorgeous, but I guess I'm also not ugly; I'm not obnoxious; I'm not mysterious; I'm just average—just there. Because it's always been like this, it surprises me every time someone notices me, remembers me the next time we meet, and then wants to get to know me.
I have quite a few friends who know me pretty well, but only a very few close friends who really know me. They're the ones who seem to sense when I'm having a bad day and know how to help, the ones who text at the right moment or show up at my door with a Slurpee or ask the right questions or leave surprise Twinkies on my desk at work the day after my dad's birthday. They're the ones I feel comfortable with (still on different levels, of course, because I don't bare my whole soul to anybody), the ones I can say anything to, the ones I know won't intentionally hurt me. As I was thinking about these friends the other day, thanking God I have them in my life, I realized the one thing they have in common is that they saw me when I was invisible.
And as soon as I realized that, I wondered how many other people are out there, wondering when and if anyone will ever notice them and care about them enough to want to get to know who they really are, not just who they appear to be at first glance. My guess is that there are quite a few. So my new goal is to see the people who feel invisible and help them feel like they belong somewhere, because that is a wonderful feeling.
3 comments:
A beautiful post and you are not invisible to me and never have been. Who can forget their first grandchild, never, I still have a picture in my memory of you standing in our side yard with your Mom and Dad Holding on to your dress while they were planting a vegetable garden. you have always been in my heart and very visible love you Grandma C.
I felt the same way most of my growing-up and young-adult years. Now when I'm at church or in social situations I try to find the "invisible" person because I know how they feel. Sometimes I feel awkward approaching random people, but I'm always glad I did afterward. Here's a thought: Purple hair = not invisible. Just sayin'. ;)
I've often felt invisibility must be my superpower, though I can't seem to turn it on or off at the right moments.
You're certainly not invisible, my friend, and I'm glad you're not.
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