What do Rosa Parks, Larry King, and Mary Kay have in common?
In 1956, an American television panel game show premiered called “To Tell The Truth”. The show features a panel of four celebrities whose object is to correctly identify a described contestant who has an unusual occupation or has undergone an unusual experience. This “central character” is accompanied by two impostors who pretend to be the central character; together, the three persons are said to belong to a “team of challengers.” The celebrity panelists question the three contestants; the impostors ARE allowed to lie, but the central character is sworn “to tell the truth.” After questioning, the panel attempts to identify which of the three challengers is telling the truth and is thus the central character.
In the 80’s, “To Tell The Truth” hosted Parks, King, and Kay on their game show.
I’ve recently been reflecting a lot on who I am now, compared to who I was 10 years ago. Even though I tried to live as Leviticus 19:11 instructs, I don’t know that I was being true to myself back in the day. Who am I kidding? I know I wasn’t. It sometimes takes a life altering event to find the real you. I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s just seemed easier to wear a smile on my face than to show others who I really was at that moment in time. I’ll spare you the details of my life event, but I’ll share with you what happened there afterwards.
I started hearing all sorts of comments from friends and family. Shocked? Some were. Others, not so much. I remember how a family member came and told me a story a few months after the event. They said that another family member made the comment that “we have our ol’ Angie back”. What they didn’t know was that it took me a long hard year with lots of tears and struggles to find the “ol’ Angie”.
What would have been a normal situation for some, was not at all normal for me. I remember on one occasion, I was standing in a crowd of people (along with long-time friends) at a lively place- it was the fairground. We all stood in front of the octopus looking ride that swirled you around and up and down. The smell of greasy corndogs and funnel cakes waffled through the air as loud upbeat music played through the converted parking lot. I remember wanting to break down and cry because I felt so alone. I kept telling myself, “look around, you are with friends”. Still, I felt so distant and isolated. I didn’t’ know how to shake myself from this feeling. Here I was, someone trying to find their way. Isn’t there a map or something? I don’t mind asking for directions.
“Angie, would you like a glass of sweet tea?” There I go, crying like a babbling fool. Why am I crying over such a simple request? Someone is showing generosity and asking to serve me tea- that’s all. It’s not like they asked me to cut off my right arm to save my child. The simple things in life were turning my world upside down. I feel so bad for all of those that got to experience this crazy lady trying to find her way! Thankfully, true friends will love, understand, and offer grace. They will show empathy.
Through a lot of hot relaxing baths, journaling, compiling a book of 20 wishes (like a bucket list), praying, cooking from a new cook book, DIY projects, bonding times with family and friends, and lots of walks in the park, I finally found me. I mean, I was lost for many years so it took some hard work to draw me from the forest that overtook me. Or maybe it was a swamp. Regardless, I got back on the road. I’m on my journey headed in the right direction. Daily, I find out more and more about myself; things I like, how I want to be perceived, goals for my life, my passion, and purpose. It’s ever evolving.
Looking back, I’ve realized just how far I have come in this journey to find the real Angie. Would the real Angela Reynolds, please stand up? HERE I AM! I’m back and the smile is real.