An original poem

As a child you expect to live a life full of laughter. As for me this ideal way of life was completely opposite. At the age of eight, I was a happy little girl always found with a big grin on my face, until my life changed dramatically like night and day. The dreadful day when I started loosing teeth, I knew that I would be different. I knew that I would have to bear the pain and emotional torture of crooked teeth. I soon went from a happy little girl, to being depressed, upset and emotionally unstable. My family tried to comfort me but it never seemed to work. For an eight year old the emotional pain and constant staring was hard to endure. As I got older my teeth only got worse, growing every way, at every different angle possible I looked like a freak. My friends were only my friends out of pity. I would look towards my family for support but, even then there was some amount of pain. Depression soon sent me spiraling down a black hold with no light, the feeling of happiness and hope was sucked away. Hitting rock bottom crying with pain and agony but never tried to escape. I would never smile in family pictures; I would never talk or laugh. I could not find a reason in life to be happy or joyful. I could often be found sitting by myself either writing or reading a book. I isolated myself from everyone; I was looking for a way out, someone to help me. My writing books became my best friends, they were always there to listen, and could feel what I felt. That feeling of being alone and that nobody cared; I always turned to crying myself to sleep each night which eased my pain for a while. I felt like a monster, alone and afraid wondering if I was able to change.

The day I got my braces on was the most exciting day of my life. My prayers had been answered; I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even though I knew that my teeth wouldn't be straightened over night, they were going to be straight eventually. I knew that I would in for a bumpy ride, the physical pain would be easier to bear than the emotional rollercoaster that I had been on for years. When the orthodontist saw me all he did was apologize for the pain that I would in for the next three and a half years. Well, the orthodontist was right it was hard and very painful. Check up after check up came and went. Dr. Silverman would always comment on how remarkable and fast the results were coming, but I didn't see any. As little wires became piano wires, I never complained, though I still saw myself as the same scary little girl. To me I was still that little ugly depressed girl that never laughed or smiled, I couldn't see the change that everyone else saw. The summer of my junior year in high school, my emotional scars began to slowly change. My teeth were straight I had a smile, I felt like I was finally beautiful. I was no longer shy or scared of what people thought of me. An old bottle had been opened inside of me; a rush of emotion overwhelmed me. I had never felt this joy or excitement for life, I was finally happy, I was finally laughing so much and could not stop smiling. I began to see life with a whole new perspective, and with brand new eyes. The world had changed from black and white to a world of wonderful color. My confidence and self esteem began to build like a hot air balloon soaring to the sky. Looking back through my writing books, I can still feel that little girl in pain. I still remember those horrible nights filled with tears. Family pictures have changed they finally have my smiling face in the middle. Waking up each morning is a joy, and spending time with family and friends is priceless. It is hard to believe that I was able to endure that emotional rollercoaster. I am amazed how a little piece of metal, hope and prayers brought me back to life.