“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
-Rumi
Every scar is different. Some add a dash of character. Others horribly disfigure. But all require the bearer to reevaluate a piece of their identity.
Scars are the body's way of healing itself. It's almost miraculous, really. Even if the object that caused the initial wound is still lodged inside, the body will weave a web of scar tissue around it. The object becomes part of the body it injured.
When I was in high school, I had a friend who had been badly burned as a child. She carried scars over 60% of her body.
She was one of the most beautiful people I'd ever known.
She bore her scars with the confidence only acquired by survivors of terrible things. She was smart. She was funny. She was a force.
I've always wondered about the journey it takes to get to that point.
As writers, most of us start with scarred characters -if not physically, then emotionally. Their internal struggle often makes up the meat of what we write. At least, it does for me.
It's not often in our society we get to meet tough -truly tough- people. Most of the scarred people I've talked to are strong, kind, wise beyond their years. They've integrated their scars into their personal view of themselves, and they are never the same.
If anything, they're stronger.
I've been fascinated by scars since I was a kid.
Every scar is different. Some add a dash of character. Others horribly disfigure. But all require the bearer to reevaluate a piece of their identity.
Scars are the body's way of healing itself. It's almost miraculous, really. Even if the object that caused the initial wound is still lodged inside, the body will weave a web of scar tissue around it. The object becomes part of the body it injured.
When I was in high school, I had a friend who had been badly burned as a child. She carried scars over 60% of her body.
She was one of the most beautiful people I'd ever known.
She bore her scars with the confidence only acquired by survivors of terrible things. She was smart. She was funny. She was a force.
I've always wondered about the journey it takes to get to that point.
As writers, most of us start with scarred characters -if not physically, then emotionally. Their internal struggle often makes up the meat of what we write. At least, it does for me.
It's not often in our society we get to meet tough -truly tough- people. Most of the scarred people I've talked to are strong, kind, wise beyond their years. They've integrated their scars into their personal view of themselves, and they are never the same.
If anything, they're stronger.
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Fabulous! Suffering doesn't always bestow grace, but when it does, it's almost blinding.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put!
ReplyDeleteLovely post. And that photo is captivatingly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It really struck me, too...
ReplyDeleteI love the mastectomy tattoos some women get to celebrate their breast cancer survival (shielding their scars.)Scars are such a part of our identity, both physically and metaphorically. Great post!
ReplyDeleteDannie @ Left to Write
Thanks Dannie! I've seen some incredible pictures of mastectomy tattoos. Love that you reminded me!
ReplyDeleteThat photo was amazing - I had never thought of scars as being beautiful (or ugly for that matter), but you've really made me see them in a different light.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it! I picked it because it reminded me of the friend I had in high school...
DeleteOh, this is so interesting. I've never quite thought of it in this light. I have a two-inch scar on my forehead (it's kind of a Harry Potter scar) and when I first had the bandaged-up injury, it was driving me nuts when people kept asking "What happened to YOU?" I've been wearing bangs ever since. I don't think I'd change that, since I kind of like my bangs, but maybe my good old Harry Potter scar isn't so bad.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not so bad- you're one of the lucky ones!
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ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Kip's comment reminded me of an elderly woman I knew. She lived on a modest budget and had to choose between having a car or having her hair done on a weekly basis. She chose the hair because she had a large mark on her forehead. It sounds like the wrong choice because she had to hitchhike to get around, even in her 70s. But she was independent and tough--and stood by her choice. I'm kind of rambling, but that mark on her forehead was a vital part of who she became and was. And she always looked good.
That raises such an interesting point: sometimes the things people do to hide their scars becomes as much a part of them as the scars themselves. Thank you!
DeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteScars and the absence of scars. Acknowledging past suffering. Choosing what to hide and what to reveal...
And sometimes, the choice is made for us.
There are stories all over our bodies, as well as under the skin.
Great post, Laura!
Thanks, Joan! You listed everything I was thinking...
DeleteOh Laura, your posts are always the best. They really make me think.
ReplyDeleteScars ARE amazing. But I admit I've taken them for granted. Generally, I've shied away from looking at other people's scars and been embarrassed of my own. But for the past 2 weeks I've been perusing a bit of women's fiction novels and to be honest I'm getting tired of reading about beautiful heroines with perfectly smooth skin and blabbady blah...I'm sorry, but most of the people I know (even the drop dead gorgeous ones) don't have unblemished/perfect skin. Adorable little babies have perfect skin because they have yet to experience life's pain/beauty. But as we grow, the more we experience the more we're likely to be scarred/healed. And like you said, there's something to be said about having a scar - sometimes, it can be a thing of beauty, proof of having really lived. Thanks for another great post : )
Thank YOU, Paula! Your comments always make me feel good! It's interesting you mentioned getting tired of heroines with "perfect skin"- the heroine in my WIP has a bunch of scars...
DeleteThat's really inspiring Laura. I think it's so true that suffering does change you. I can't say I've suffered much physically over the years, but I've certainly been through a lot emotionally. Even though it's painful it does make you a stronger person in the long run. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think most people have scars, but you're right, they're not always physical ones. Thanks for reading!
DeleteGreat post! I actually have huge scars on my knees from a bad accident when I was a child. Growing up they pretty much were my knees. I was teased a lot. Now I don't even notice them anymore. I had a boyfriend in college that suggested I get them fixed once and I decided he was the one who needed to be fixed, instead! They're part of who I am and the idea of getting rid of my scars would be like giving up a part of myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristina! I agree with your assessment of that boyfriend- a keeper is one who loves every bit of you, scars included!
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful essay.
ReplyDeletePhysical scars (and how the body heals itself—which is, as you mention, amazing) are a great metaphor for emotional scars.
Can we learn from our own body? Can we keep some of what hurt us inside, but still grow a fresh new perspective around it?
Very true for us as writers too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, John! I'm all about metaphor... ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful, thought provoking post, and the picture is the perfect accompaniment.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Chris :-)
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