Don't be so sensitive!

Derrick was a lonely child. His parents, Helga and Swain had their child late in life and found him to be more of a nuisance than a blessing,  although they never said that. The boy spent most of his time in his room away from the voices that he still hears in his head: "You're being too sensitive. Stop being so sensitive." And he was sensitive. Loud noises made him jump, if his parents were moody, so was he, he hated being yelled at and often sought the refuge of his room. He would sit for hours, reading, building things and thinking deep thoughts. If he had only known then that 15 to 20 percent of all people are extremely sensitive perhaps he would have been more accepting of himself.

The shy boy has few friends, boys were rude and loud and girls were a mystery. Later, his dates were less than successful as he struggled to find words to say. No one had the patience to wait. After school, he found a job that suited him, accounting .He was by himself, pushing numbers across a page like puzzle pieces until they all fit together and he was satisfied. Just before he retired, he found himself asking a lady his age that worked for his company to go out with him..He liked her, found her quiet and reserved.On the date, Arlene talked softly and he intuited that she and he were alike in their ways but he had no words to open that subject and that was their only date.

He retired to a small house where the only living creature he talked to was Justine, his potted plant. .How he tended to and enjoyed her, moving her from window to window to catch the sun.One night, his loneliness became unbearable and he took a chair outside and sat in the dark hoping hear the sounds of voices in the alley. Minutes later, a beam of light came down from a huge sunflower and clothed him in a soft glow. His jaw softened, his shoulders relaxed, his eyes closed and he sighed.

The light came every night and stayed for about ten minutes and he joined it happily.One night, feeling frisky, he sat in the chair and then bolted to the house.The light came, focused on the chair and then started going around the yard like a spotlight, seeking him in every corner. He was holding back laughter as he ran to the chair where the light found him. It moved back and forth as if laughing too and saying ,"Ha, I found you!!!"

 One June night he brought Justine with him and he sat with her balanced on his knee. At that moment something crept softly , gently as a morning fog into his thinking. He was loved. He said it over and over :"I am loved,, despite my flaws and quirks, I am loved."Astoundingly, as he sat quietly, he accepted that revelation. Derrick got up from his chair, and wiping tears from his cheeks, took Justine inside.Without hesitation he picked up the phone and called Arlene.