The Shocking truth, the real shocking truth.

[Wendy Gonzalez]

Today as I got out of class I ran to the restroom. I had been holding it for a while and now I really had to go. Well I entered the restroom and went inside the closest stall I found. As I was doing my business I suddenly heard the voices of two girls. One girl said; "can I borrow your phone to call my mom?" Then she started to speak into the phone and she said; "I don't know I just had like a period shock. I'm better but they called the paramedics.." I then realized that there was a girl two stalls away from me who was on the floor naked. Another girl was just sitting there by her side trying to make sure she was OK.  I got out of the stall and washed my hands really quickly the police was already inside the restroom and they were trying to help the girl. I tried not to look at the girl since she was naked but my curiosity overpowered me. I looked at the girl she was slouched down facing the ground. She looked so vulnerable and I just wanted to help her. Instead I got out of the restroom because I knew that that was the most adequate thing to do. As I got out of the restroom I started shacking and so many emotions started racing through my mind. 

It just amazed me to realize how complex we woman are. I do not know why the girl took of her clothes but I am assuming she was just in so much pain she just went out of control. Of course I am only assuming but I have had experiences like that in which I just sit there in the stall trying to not cry, breathing really heavily and quickly, feeling nauseous and just trying to get away from everything and wanting to roll up in a ball and disappear. Seeing that girl in that situation made me realize that I am not alone. That we women are not alone in our suffering. What was most shocking and what really made me incapable of holding back my tears was seeing the girl walk out of the restroom with a facial expression that said; "I am in pain." She walked out of the restroom by herself and the paramedics behind her. She  probably realized that she could do nothing but continue with her life. That is what is most amazing about being a woman. We are resilient, we persevere among-st our suffering and pain. We sometimes cannot control our feelings and emotions but we simply have to acknowledge that we feel a certain way and continue with our lives.  

A girl in one of our Latinitas after-school club once said to me; "When my mom was pregnant from me she said she did'int want to have me because she knew that I was going to suffer, and I am suffering." I was shocked by what she said and I did not know how to respond and I simply said. Yes we do suffer but we do not have to suffer all the time. We can choose not to suffer. We can choose to get up and walk on our own feet with no paramedic holding our hand and that is what is most powerful about a woman. 

[Wendy Gonzalez]

Thanks for your comment Heather.

[Heather M.]

You're right, we do not all have to constantly suffer. It's a choice.

Thank you for sharing. It truly made me pause and evaluate the reason why I, and so many others find the strength to move on. 

[Wendy Gonzalez]

And we are holding hands :) the picture was at this particular club

[Wendy Gonzalez]

Thank you

[Latinitas]

Wow, this is a really powerful blog.

[April C. Davila]

wow. I mean having a young girl sound so..so ..adult like is almost sad. I wish I could hold her hand and let her know things will be okay for her.