Ready or Not, Here I Come …
As the minutes passed, the slight feeling of discomfort in my left leg soon galloped into a full-on charley horse. My shoulder was getting crushed. And man, did I have to pee. Bad. I wondered how long I’d been curled up like a cinnamon bun on the top shelf of my mom’s linen closet. Seemed like hours. Wedged uncomfortably above a shelf of unmatched sheets, a hard truth hit me: the game of Hide and Go Seek just wasn’t that much fun anymore.
It was a moment in my childhood I’ll never forget. My three siblings and I had a blast playing that game, but the older we got, the better our hiding places got. And when you’re hiding in the dark like a contortionist for more than 30 minutes, well the game gets kind of lame.
Let’s face it: the thrill is being found.
Somewhere on the road to adulthood, we get really good at hiding. But after a while, it gets old. And exhausting. And the truth is, at some point, people stop looking for you.
To be seen and known — it’s something every person craves in this life. Lately, I’ve been hiding as a writer. Out of laziness. Out of fear of not being accepted. Out of habit. But as I’ve been belting out in my car along with Marina and the Diamonds, “Better to be hated than loved, loved, loved for what you’re not.”
I hope no matter how old I get, I’ll never forget how good it feels to be found.
All the money I invested in counseling … I could have saved it all just by reading this blog about Hide & Seek. Yes, I can be a real smartass on Twitter but I’m not being one now. This is inspirational. This is what I wanted, no, NEEDED to hear today.
This is good stuff, Kara.
@SOCOACH
bobby! man, i am so glad you connected to this. i am so glad i am connected to you. thank you for your willingness to read this and share your heartfelt thoughts, scarecrow. smilin here
Ha! Found you! How come you’re in the shape of a pretzel? Whatever, glad to see you venturing into the world of writing for yourself!
hahahaha you say, “pretzel,” i say, “potato.” pretzel. potato. pretzel. potato. let’s not call the whole thing off. the point is, we know how to hokey pokey and turn ourselves around. i think. man, i need a nap.
Excellent!! Beautiful, really. Figure out how to connect this with FB and Twitter so it can be easily retweeted and shared.
wow. thank you, friend. i say, you be my agent. you and rosie. i’ll give you 10%, which is currently worth -4. but still. thank you for your belief.
so glad to see your blog! you are one talented lady my dear friend. Love the vision of the cinnamon bun. Brilliant. And ditto the therapy comment. seriously.
berg! your words mean so much. shoot, yer seeing your name on here alone means so much. thank you. i am soooooooo excited for the reunion this summer i can just spit. can’t wait to hug you and see your darlin baby girl.
hahaha. well-written, but I expected no less. but you’re freaking whack if you don’t take advantage of your talent. get over it. who gives a fuck what they think of you. be you. write you. the right people will follow.
kudos on the blog.
awwwwww. you read this!!! thanks for such awesome words of encouragement. you are a redonkulously huge inspiration to me, cap’n. thanks for that, too. laughed and loved that you were the first to say the F word on my blog. i think i need to give you some sorta award.
stay strong and courageous,
kara
Good first post, Schwa! I look forward to many more.
Dieter (@QuietRumbling)
brotha schwa!!! thanks for stopping by to read a little of my story. you are a big encouragement to me. love being connected.
Kara
I’ll look in all the unusual places for you! I highly recommend playing hide and seek as an adult. Reminds me of a story…
You’re brave, smart and talented. You’re never lost when you find yourself. Welcome to blogging. You’re going to love it! xo
“you’re never lost when you find yourself.” jeepers way to one-up me on my own blog.
that was beautiful! perfect! man, i love yer brain. xoxo
Good stuff, girlfriend. Loves you like crazy. Glad you’re not hiding anymore… does this mean I might actually hear from you?
Look forward to reading more. Then knowing more. Of you.
mitch!!! thank you for reading this! my noggin’s noddin like a bobblehead. want the connection. want to be in the know. in your know. let’s do this!
Woweee. Zoweee. First at bat, and she hits it out of the park!
What a beautiful story, metaphor and message, Miss Kara. You know I’ve been ready for your blog for quite some time. Now it’s here! You have much to say. And you say it with heart, and wit. And style. And I am ready for more. So BRING IT ON!
love ya, big time!
Kat
p.s. You’re so right. Being found is waaaaaaaaaaay more fun than hiding.
kat, your words bring a ginormus, redonkulous, humongous smile to my face. but then again, your words have this affect on me every time. thank you for your encouragement and for pouring inspiration on my noggin.
Great post. Glad I found you! Will look forward for more~
i am so glad you found me, too, shaun.
write on!
kara
I loved this! Thank you for placing your heart out in full view. I connected to it and look forward to more. Blessings …
sweet sally! i am so glad you found this small part of my story meaningful. thank you so much for sharing!
Sally_G was right (as usual) — this is a great article Kara. I really enjoyed it.
“Lately, I’ve been hiding as a writer.”
I’m glad you decided to let us find you. Not only does it share your beautiful talents, but it gives other hiders (like me) hope and inspiration. Thank you for all of those gifts.
mike, your words mean so much. thank you. inspiration and belief from other writers around me encouraged me, but in the end, i just had to take a leap. just write. dive in. nah, forget the dive. do a cannonball. and bless us with all the waves and ripples …
looking forward to finding you.
kara
Kara that was damn near perfect. Historical and modern reference, the twist and the moral to the story.
clifford. thank you. we got like minds, brotha. like minds. you just may be my twin, separated at birth.
Loved it just-may-be-my-sister-in-law-separated-at-birth.
hahahahahha. thank you darlin. i think i am your long lost sister by marriage! we need to celebrate. let’s kayak!!!
soon!
kara
Wow, I agree with Kai – First bat and right out of the park!
You were born to blog and WRITE, Miss Pretzel.
Maybe you could get a gig on Ocean’s Fourteen too. I’d happily see you replace that Chinese contortionist guy – his shit’s getting old.
That was a beautiful post, Kara.
I’d like to add to that. While you’re hiding, you’re looking too. And while the thrill is to be found, it also lies in finding the stuff that’s eluded you your whole life.
I’m so glad you took the plunge, sistah.
There are so many already who are thrilled they found you.
Imagine what could happen if you Keep On At It?
Anything’s possible, you talented whack-job!
xo
hahahahahahahahah ocean’s 14. i’m in. i’ll bring my wet suit. i absolutely love your words here. i need to chew on em a bit. like cud. and digest em. shoot. that sounds nasty. but already, i feel full tasting them–they are rich in wisdom and nourishing to my soul. thank you Karen … i owe you a whole bunch o gratitude. your 1-year-celebration of your blog so inspired me. you are so right: anything is possible, indeed. let’s doooooo this, people.
ok, i’m waiting….more please! c’mon dammit…don’t just put this one post out there and leave me hangin’! i was so happy to meet my long lost soul mate?!? where the hell are you?
hahahahahahahahah sistah!!!!!! remember, mama birthed you first of us twins, you over achiever. i’m taggin along … trying to grab the back of your pull-ups so i can catch up and crawl along side you. was thinking bout writing on sundays … posting on mondays. or whenever i feel the need. so. let’s do this …
Just found you and loved your post. Like you I’ve been trying to hide but you have inspired me. Keep up your writing – your talent should not be lost.
What happened? Happened, happened, happened… Wow, there’s and echo in here. And I thought I was the anti-prolific blogger.