32 Comments
User's avatar
Paul Wittenberger's avatar

I hope the world you’ve found now is better than that of your childhood, Rea, that it is closer to the world of your imagination than the one you suffered through.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

I think we manifest what we keep our minds busy with. Negative emotions should stay outside the door of imagination.

Mike's avatar

Dear Rea, this is absolutely lovely, and an example of how we can learn to love and care for ourselves - even when nobody else does so.

Sometimes these brief mental respites are all we need to become grounded once more!

Rea de Miranda's avatar

It taught me to love myself when nobody else could. Thank you for your beautiful response Mike. 🫂

Esther Stanway-Williams's avatar

This is really moving Rea. So glad you found those clouds ☁️ ♥️

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Me too Esther. 🙏

Jess Hope Creates's avatar

Powerful!

Terry Angelos's avatar

Thank you for your vulnerability, imagination is a powerful force.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

It is powerful, you are right Terry.

Virginia Curtis's avatar

I think we can be forever grateful that we have the ability to create in our imagination. Our brains have a way of protecting us from harm and give us the ability to imagine what good can come out of negative situations and hurtful circumstances. That ability to dissociate and place ourselves in a safe space in our minds has turned us into creatives that can make art from our (and the world's) pain. Love, Virg.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

You are right Virg, it is a sacred space.

Debra Martin's avatar

Thank you, Rea, for sharing a vulnerable truth of your life. Imaginations are a great place to escape and rebuild ourselves.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

It is a place of healing Debra. 💞

Nelly Tissot's avatar

Your words are a soft punch to the chest. I know that dream space too. Thank you for sharing it with such honesty. It’s survival, it’s poetry.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you Nelly. I appreciate you.

Jen Reich's avatar

I'm so sorry these horrible things happened to you, Rea. Grateful you were able to find respite through your imagination. I too spent many of my childhood hours absorbed in my imagination...books, clouds...my healing space. Thank you for sharing this moving piece.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

I'm so glad you understand Jen. It is a wonderful escape. Magic and healing. Thank you for your kind response.

Nancy Hesting's avatar

Very powerful.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you Nancy.

Stephanie Marie's avatar

This really speaks to the strength of the human spirit. It’s clear what a mighty soul you are, but I’m so sorry those awful things happened to you.

The people I admire the most are those who’ve gone through the fire and still show up as a loving person in the world. You should be proud. 🙏

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you for your beautiful comment Stephanie. Our souls find a way. 🙏

Harriet Corvine's avatar

Wow, Rea...

First I thought that I can relate, but then... I am so happy you had your imaginary world to escape to.

H.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

I am thankful to the Universe Harriet. Thank you. 🙏

Amy Beeman's avatar

Makes me sad for the girl who was not properly cherished. But she learned to cope.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Cope or die trying. Thank you for reading and meeting me here Amy. 🙏

Libertarian's avatar

Dear Rea,

i am sorry adults hurt and neglected you. Especially ones who are supposed to protect you and hold you. I am glad for the brief moments of escape in the clouds.

it reminded me of Joni Mitchell’s song “Both Sides Now”, a snippet of which I’ve pasted here;

“Rows and floes of angel hair

And ice cream castles in the air

And feather canyons everywhere

Looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun

They rain and they snow on everyone

So many things I would have done

But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down and still somehow

It's cloud illusions I recall

I really don't know clouds at all

..”

Rea de Miranda's avatar

It wasn't brief moments my friend. It was a place I made home. Where I lived a life that was completely different from reality. A magical realm I escaped to, to imagine how happy people lived. I still use it when I feel unsettled by life. My dream world is my safe place.

Thank you for your kind comment. I appreciate you. 💞

Joe Nichols's avatar

I may still be a little bit of this. I’ve never heard this word. Thank you for this. Insightful and vulnerable at the same time. Wonderful.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

I still use the clouds when life is difficult. It frees me. Thank you Joe. You see me. 🙏

User's avatar
Comment deleted
Apr 17, 2025
Comment deleted
Rea de Miranda's avatar

Books taught me the magic of creating with my imagination. I realized if books could transport me somewhere else, my mind could too. I wanted too much from people who weren't able to give it. So I substituted them with characters who could.

Thank you for your beautiful comment. 🩶🤍