The two things that have had the biggest impact on my adult life are my husband and my education.  Both have allowed me space where I can express my true desires.  I can loved and be loved.  I can study, think and write about things that interest and concern me.  These are isolated, closed, protected worlds where I don’t feel so different or isolated.  

However, as much as I’d like to stay hidden away in these bounded spaces, there is a larger world beyond them.  When I cross their borders and enter that larger space, my true self is covered by appearances and expectations and norms, layers upon layers distorting my authentic self and causing people to read me in ways that I have had no part in writing.

© Salahub 2003