‘There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’ (Leonard Cohen)
There was a girl who used to look at herself and frown. She didn’t like her face, her body, her voice. She struggled to find the good, and often settled on the bad. She was young, only 10 years old but she had the spirit of a fighter and that’s what kept her going.
She didn’t like boys, not for any other reason than the fact that she knew they made fun of her, so she developed a defense mechanism. She would fight with them, shove them, do anything to paint a picture of complete disdain for them. But one day she was fifteen, and she didn’t look too bad, or so they told her. The same boys who ran circles around her and taunted her ‘peculiar’ looks and voice relentlessly, now wanted to be near her. She only relented because the other girls did, but she still felt so misunderstood.
Many years later she would have her heart broken in a most malicious way. She, the fighter, was now a walking wound of raw emotion, deliberately haughty and cold. She labored in these emotions, grappling in the dark for a way out of the tunnel.
Their paths then crossed.
He didn’t need to save her but he showed her that wounded wasn’t unusual, that broken wasn’t forever, that hurt could heal. That light, like love, shines even in the most impossible darkness.
She’s good now, grown, woman enough to appreciate that no situation is perfect but grateful enough to accept affection, to give second chances.
Light, as it turns out, was waiting for the right moment to reveal itself to her.
‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return’ (Nat King Cole)
Photography: Lyra Aoko
www.lyraokomedia.com
(Instagram: @lyraoko)
25 comments
Kanini Janet
April 27, 2017 at 11:14 pm
wow beautiful
Makala Audrey
April 28, 2017 at 8:47 am
What a story!!
Nimo
April 28, 2017 at 8:51 am
This is really beautiful Janet.
Dora
April 28, 2017 at 8:54 am
Well articulated Janet!
Kui Mwangi
April 28, 2017 at 9:08 am
Really good read…
Marrie
April 28, 2017 at 9:33 am
It’s like you talking from my heart!❤
Rebecca
April 28, 2017 at 12:25 pm
I love the article.This stood out broadly.
There is a crack in everything that is how light gets in
Saum
April 28, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Lovely
njoki
April 28, 2017 at 5:04 pm
This is so cute esp when ur going through a heart break
Esther Wachira
April 28, 2017 at 6:33 pm
Point taken.sometime cracks are meant to let light have a way in the dark.
Tulia
April 28, 2017 at 6:57 pm
You write so beautifully
Mugabi P
April 28, 2017 at 10:29 pm
Great piece.
I love this part so much.She’s good now, grown, woman enough to appreciate that no situation is perfect but grateful enough to accept affection, to give second chances.
Lindsey Khasoha Simani
April 29, 2017 at 1:23 am
I am really learning a lot from you. Thank you for sharing all this, very soon I will also tell my story, I hope it will help someone….. waiting on the next post
Reulinah Dzala
April 29, 2017 at 7:00 am
Captivating, and beautifuly written!
violet
April 29, 2017 at 7:52 am
always longing for your article janet mbugua.wow, i am in love with this article.i like the way you are real janet,how can one get in touch with you?
Chelsea
April 29, 2017 at 1:34 pm
Beautiful!
Life comes with its cracks; some we should not struggle to fill because then we would be blocking some light.
Absolutely beautiful Janet!
Miss.Wanja
April 29, 2017 at 9:45 pm
I just love this total inspiration. God bless! ❤❤❤
lorna
April 30, 2017 at 10:00 am
This is beautiful and so deep. ??
Kui
April 30, 2017 at 11:18 am
You write so beautifully.. The piece is so profound, so genuine, so relatable.
Love it 🙂
Joyce
May 4, 2017 at 5:57 pm
This is so beautiful Janet. My take from this is- light, like love, shines even in the most impossible darkness.
Gloria
May 6, 2017 at 10:34 pm
You spoke to my soul. I literally teared. Thanks Janet for being brave enough to tell your story.
Martha Kariuki
May 12, 2017 at 1:14 pm
This is so inspiring Janet.I love all your pieces.I have read them all today..
Martha
May 13, 2017 at 9:26 pm
This is really beautiful
Annie
June 1, 2017 at 3:19 am
Wow!! It’s 3.15 am, insomnia my Daily dose and I stumbled upon your blog. Have read all the pieces and I’m hooked. You capture everyday experiences yet still managing to bring out your authentic self. Brilliant, touching…keep writing. You have a new fan!
Janet Mbugua
June 2, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Thank you Annie! That means a lot to me ?❤