Battle Scars

Believe it or not, I happen to love ALL my scars - each and every single one of them. Even with the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery (and a fitting budget), mark my words, I would never have them removed.

Ask anyone who knows me, I call them "battle scars" or "medals". If scars could talk, each one would have it's own unique tale to tell.

The oldest one being the one on my left knee, I got it when I was about 10. I fell off my bike and rammed my knee into a piece of driftwood. That was the last time I ever rode anything with 2 wheels.

There's a huge one behind my left thigh that looks more like a huge burn. Slipping off while ripping a slider (see that yellow slider on the background), the metal pipe managed to scrape quite a few layers of skin. If it weren't for my knee brace [which I have to wear whenever I play because I tore my MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) falling with my left leg first from the top of a 6-ft A-frame, the huge white thingy on the background, but that's another story], the entire leg would've probably been grated. To top it off, immediately after the scrape, I fell on my ass and slid down the fiberglass siding, thus sharp fibers managed to find their way into my already burning scrape. I was all alone so I drove myself to the nearest clinic which was about 100 kilometers away. After which, I laid face down on the E.R. bed for more than an hour as the doctor tried to pluck every shard. Since the fibers were translucent, removing every single piece was an impossible task. He then proceeded by pouring antiseptic onto my open wound. I'm sure you get the picture, and it ain't pretty.

I have one right above my right eye. Again while wakeboarding, I was on my way to the dock when a newbie went straight at me. Had I not managed to hide under my board in time, she would have decapitated me (she was probably traumatized by my forked tongue as I never saw her again, ever........).

There's another one near it. Right above my eyebrow. I was ripping a slider (the same one that managed to scrape my thigh), I fell off the wrong side and failed to let go of the rope. Smack!!! The side of my face met the end of the metal pipe. The cut would have needed 3 stitches but thanks to the able hands of Ellen and Keren (of Lago) who administered first aid. Also quite a number of butterfly tapes plus heavy antibiotics, I did not need any stitching.

The most visible (and most recent) is the one under my right knee. We were on our way to a restaurant and I was so hungry that instead of walking 10 extra meters, I jumped over the fence not knowing there was a metal bar protruding from the ground, hidden beneath the grass.

I have a lot more scars. Not physical scars but emotional scars. From childhood. My first heartbreak. Betrayals. Bulimia. Depression. Harsh words from a supposed 'friend'. And many, many others which I'd rather not mention.

They will always be there to serve as reminders. Maybe even mementos.

The battle scar on my left knee symbolizes courage. Even after a major wipeout, I need to muster up the courage to try again. Otherwise, I will never mount again.

The battle scar behind my thigh epitomizes willpower. Even after an injury (or a heartbreak), I know I have to gather up my determination because life, indeed, goes on.

The battle scars on my face emblematizes the power of time, and forgiving & forgetting. Given time, our skin (especially our hearts), can forgive but never forget.

The battle scar on my right knee symbolizes restraint. That some things can definitely wait.

The emotional battle scars represent life. There will always be ups and downs. It may not always be fair, but it sure is wonderful.

So I will keep wearing short shorts no matter how old I get or no matter how many stares get thrown my way. After all, I earned them and I will forever bear them like medals......................