Dear Inner Child

Dear Inner Child,

I'm really sorry. I know this year has been really hard on you.

When Farrah Fawcett died, I felt sad for her family and friends--but you--I know you lost something special. I remember how you used to play Charlie's Angels, and even though Kerry Shepard always made you play Kate Jackson so she could be Farrah, it still hurt a lot to lose that part of yourself.

And then Michael Jackson passed away. That was tough too. For me, I had long since taken him off the pedastel, but for you--the magic probably still lived. You were so cute when the Drill Team did the Beat It dance in the gym. Do you remember that? I bet we could still do the beginning of it--though we'd look really ridiculous. And yes, he was really something special in The Wiz. I agree.

When John Hughes left us, I don't know if you, Inner Child, were as affected as the inner grown up. For you, the John Hughes movies were about the characters and the story--as much as you loved them, the behind the camera genius didn't hit home. Not like it did for me. See, as a young adult writer, I can appreciate how he told a story without ever talking down to teens. I can see how he blended his grown-up sensibilities with that part of him that was still just a kid in order to produce movies that will forever resonate. For you--it was all about a story that made you laugh and cry.

Patrick Swayze's death floored us both, didn't it? He was really a part of the "end" of your childhood. A great send off. The time of your life. As your more mature counterpart--he amazed me with the dignity he cultivated. I'm so glad he had the chance to shine doing what he loved--I'm so glad he showed people that you can marry the love of your life and stay married. And I'm so very glad that Johnny Castle turned out to be a good role model for us both.

And now, just when we are moving on, we're losing another icon. Not to death, thankfully. Just to reality. The reality is, what we put on celebrities isn't always what they really are.

Scott Baio was cute wasn't he? Chachi was a great character, and didn't we really want Charles in charge of us? But something happened yesterday. Even though we were a fan of Scott Baio's, he said some really derogatory things about the President of the United State on Twitter. We're used to that, right? I mean, people didn't have many nice things to say about the last president either. And I know that as an Inner Child, you don't care much about politics. Mine don't always follow party lines. You know what though--when people say really disparaging things it harshes my mellow. I don't think it's wrong to express opinions--but I think it's less than helpful to be so rude. It doesn't leave much room for discussion and it puts people on the defensive. So, I mentioned in my own twitterline that I was going to unfollow him because he was getting too negative.

And he replied. Scott Baio took time out of his day to reply to us! What a high note right?

No.

He replied with another remark, this one leaving little the door open for racism too. And then he blocked us. You and me both, Cookie. The adult woman trying to understand why grown up people can't express their feelings in mature, non-inflammatory language and ...you, the Inner Child. One of his biggest fans.

For me, I had already unfollowed him. It didn't cut so much. For you, though, I felt the little crack in your heart, sweetie. I know you harbored little fantasies about Chachi dumping Joanie for you. I know you thought a preppy manny would have been a great addition to your family.

But we both got Chachblocked, didn't we?

So, I'm sorry, Little One. I'm sorry that the fabric of your Inner Child life is unraveling. I think we should make a special point to remember how this felt, though, because someday we might have fans of our own. There might be a girl out there who reads our book and feels the same way we did that first time we watched Breakfast Club.

I hope we never let her down.

Love,
Gwenny--the Inner Grown Up that still recognized the Inner Child is what drives her on a daily basis.