gimme your hands...

I discovered David Bowie four years ago, when I was fourteen. It was the summer when I was going into high school, and I had never been more alone. No friends, just moved, parents going through a divorce. I was a pretty miserable kid. I'll skip the sob story and get straight to the part where my whole life changes. It was about a week after my birthday, and I'm home alone, watching music videos on the TV. I go into the kitchen to get a drink, and from the living room I hear this voice like no other. I forget the drink and run back to the TV. There, awkwardly yet beautifully dancing on the TV, is this man. His voice was just astounding-nothing I've ever heard before. Later in the video, he's dressed up like 3 girls! My jaw dropped and my heart fluttered and my life changed right there. Guys could dress like girls?! Does that mean girls could dress like guys?! I've never been more confused and excited in my life. At the end of the video, I caught this mysterious man's name...David Bowie. The next week I spent on the computer, researching Mr. Bowie and listening to every song I could find. I was amazed with every song I heard. I was amazed with every costume he wore. Was he a girl? Was he a guy? Was he both? He wasn't afraid to wear what he wanted, and be who he wanted to be. And that made me feel good. I was always very uncomfortable wearing the regular "girl"clothing, but I had no idea I could wear guys clothes! David Bowie opened up a whole new world to me. Everything was different because of Bowie. One day, I stumbled across the song "Rock N Roll Suicide". And I cried like a baby that whole song. Those last lyrics have stuck with me ever since I first heard that song. I'm truly not alone. Even if I have no one on my side, I'll still have Bowie. School started, and I was wearing whatever I wanted and wearing it proudly. I met other people who liked Bowie. They became my closest friends and practically my family. I became who I wanted and I wasn't afraid. Okay, I'll end this story right about now...here we go. David Bowie taught me that it's okay to be you, no matter who you are. Are you gay? Straight? Boy, girl, in between? It doesn't matter. Just be you. Don't let anyone get you down. His music was a rally cry. David Bowie was my favorite teacher and my best friend, in a way. He taught me that I'll never truly be alone. Now I'm 18, out and proud and I really owe it to Mr. Bowie. Those lyrics of "You're not alone! Gimme your hands, cause you're wonderful!" Have comforted me for four years. I don't know what else to say. This man changed my whole life. So, whether you're on Mars or in Heaven or wherever you want to be, I just wanted to say thank you, Mr. Bowie. Thank you for being you.


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