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Sunday, October 3, 2010

Rear View Mirror: The Boy Who Lived

A project I've been meaning to do for many months now.  This week, I went looking for a picture of that 14-year-old who wanted to die so very, very badly. 

And found it, and some other half-forgotten pics too; enough to make a chronological record of what I looked like at every stage of life from beginning to now.

It's not great art, and it's not the story of my life - the pictures don't exist to tell all that obscure, tedious tale - just photographic evidence that life goes on long past the point that you think it can't. 

And despite all the ups and downs and twists and turns in the road, life does indeed get better than a frightened, shamed, beaten, humiliated, suicidal kid ever thought it would, or could, forty years ago.

There is a nude scene in here, but one that even your mama will smile at.  Though overall I do feel a bit naked, exposing myself to the world like this - but maybe my truckbuddies will see and relate, and understand.  So here you go:



BTW, my butch ex-roommate says the gay starts to show in the pic where I run like a girl. You agree, fellas?

And does it ever stop? Grin.

10 comments:

Staircase Witch said...

There have GOT to be a lot of disappointed straight women out there in Texas. ;)

Russ Manley said...

I rather doubt it, but how very kind of you to say. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

You just kept getting better and better. I seriously loved the last three minutes. Thank you for this.

dave said...

Wonderful, just plain wonderful.

You're not alone in looking back over life when faced with the images of these kids who deserved better from their fellow human beings.

Frank said...

You handsome devil. I didn't know they allowed hippies in Texas. That must have been as dangerous as being gay.

MarshinBama said...

Thanks so much for showing that, I really appreciate it. I teared up :)

Sebastian said...

Very nice Russ. You are a handsome guy.

Russ Manley said...

Thanks pardners, appreciate ya all.

Jason Hughes said...

What a wonderful collection of snippets from your life! Thanks for sharing this, Russ! And thank you for having lived (and continuing to do so!)

Russ Manley said...

Appreciate ya, man.

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