15th December 2019
267 views
267 views
FGOM II - Pablo's Story
Not Picasso
Master
169 posts
1,317
Seen 31st August 2023
Forrester
15th December 2019, 01:59 PM
I opened my eyes and there I found myself sitting in a chair surrounded with my peers all dressed in gowns with a rich shade of blue. The MC was reading each name and I sat there waiting patiently to be called up to the podium. Everyone with a last name starting with A was called and sat down - it happened too fast. So fast that I could not grasp that I was next to be called up. "ANGELO BROWN.........certificate of Visual Arts..................Excellence in Visual Arts." I closed my eyes. Pitch black.
Clapping, cheers and constant pats on my back from the people sitting behind me. I hopped off the chair and walked up the podium straight to the principal to receive my diploma and award. Looking into the gold plating with my name engraved in it, I saw my reflection.......I saw the child in me who always dreamed of this moment. All I could think of was my family. Took a quick glance at them and saw my parents each giving me a thumbs up. I looked at my brother and sister and they were already prepared with the camera for a TIME Magazine photoshoot or something. The ceremony ended and we were escorted to the main lobby of the school. I scavenged for my friends but I could not find them. The entire lobby was an ocean of students and I say that not just because of the blue, but because standing at 3 foot 10", I could barely see anything but that colour.
I was then reunited with my family members. The photos went fast and just as my sister was putting the camera back in the carry-on, my Art Teacher who went by the name of John Notten approached me. "Angelo! Congrats buddy! I couldn't give this award to anyone more deserving!"' Tears emerged from my eyes and before the photo of the two of us was taken, I quickly glanced beside me as he said "Hold on one sec.......let me kneel down."
Hold on one sec.......let me kneel down
........Kneel down.
The words stuck in my head the second they left his tongue. He knelt down, just for me. He knelt down to make me feel like I belonged. He knelt down because he put himself in my shoes and knew that throughout all my life with this dwarfism condition called Achondroplasia, I've seen things at a total different viewpoint. That small gesture will never make me forget the day.
Don't get me wrong, the moral of the story should not be read as "You should bend the knee to every small person you see" like Daenerys asked of Aegon Targaryen..but to simply humble yourself. Humble yourself because there is no knowing whether you're going to reach the age of 90, whether you're going to be a celebrity or whether you're going to be rich. Your darkest lows and your brightest highs should not be monumental to you..for they are all there to build your future. Be nice to those you meet on the way up because you will meet the exact same people on the way down.
Clapping, cheers and constant pats on my back from the people sitting behind me. I hopped off the chair and walked up the podium straight to the principal to receive my diploma and award. Looking into the gold plating with my name engraved in it, I saw my reflection.......I saw the child in me who always dreamed of this moment. All I could think of was my family. Took a quick glance at them and saw my parents each giving me a thumbs up. I looked at my brother and sister and they were already prepared with the camera for a TIME Magazine photoshoot or something. The ceremony ended and we were escorted to the main lobby of the school. I scavenged for my friends but I could not find them. The entire lobby was an ocean of students and I say that not just because of the blue, but because standing at 3 foot 10", I could barely see anything but that colour.
I was then reunited with my family members. The photos went fast and just as my sister was putting the camera back in the carry-on, my Art Teacher who went by the name of John Notten approached me. "Angelo! Congrats buddy! I couldn't give this award to anyone more deserving!"' Tears emerged from my eyes and before the photo of the two of us was taken, I quickly glanced beside me as he said "Hold on one sec.......let me kneel down."
Hold on one sec.......let me kneel down
........Kneel down.
The words stuck in my head the second they left his tongue. He knelt down, just for me. He knelt down to make me feel like I belonged. He knelt down because he put himself in my shoes and knew that throughout all my life with this dwarfism condition called Achondroplasia, I've seen things at a total different viewpoint. That small gesture will never make me forget the day.
Don't get me wrong, the moral of the story should not be read as "You should bend the knee to every small person you see" like Daenerys asked of Aegon Targaryen..but to simply humble yourself. Humble yourself because there is no knowing whether you're going to reach the age of 90, whether you're going to be a celebrity or whether you're going to be rich. Your darkest lows and your brightest highs should not be monumental to you..for they are all there to build your future. Be nice to those you meet on the way up because you will meet the exact same people on the way down.
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