How The Phantom saved my life...

By: Mary L. Martin(Based on a true story of my life)

As I was a premature, surprising baby that was 2.1oz, I had problems with my heart. Although they say it was a miracle I survived, it was but the real miracle was how Joseph lived without a heart. However, he only lived to make sure I was going to be alright because when I was, he was gone.

Even though I had an older sister and than was blessed with a younger brother, I still felt alone without my two brothers and felt like there was something missing. As a child feeling alone and empty made me not care to much for life. I didn't tell my family how I felt because I believed I was the reason my brothers died and if I told them they my be gone too. There are a few people who get that and a few who don't.

 Even though my family could tell there was something wrong with me, I always felt as though I lived a double life and that I was hiding away from the world, being a loner and all.  Until I meet, The Phantom. 

I can't remember how old I was, but I was in elementary school when a bunch of us were invited to go see The Phantom of the Opera. When I first saw The Phantom I knew he would be the only one who could ever understand me, since he suffered so much pain and hurt from the world. With the mask he wore, I could relate to him because I too was hiding from the world and living a double life, just like a mask. I also had the dream of him hiding me away from the world as he did with Christine Daee'. That' was the most special part.

Whenever I needed peace, I escaped the world by using the phantom's story and music because that's the only thing that kept me alive.

After the musical, while everyone just loved the romance story, I had to learn everything I could about Erik and take it into my heart to pile up the emptiness. Well I did just and it made me feel more relived to learn that Erik was a real man rather than just a fantasy. Most importantly, I wasn't alone. 

Although I had the Phantom, I still went through bad times and still am, while I am finally learning to cope with my pain. 

 It is extremely intresting because when I told my councilor about The Phantom she noticed something I never have. She could also tell that I related to The Phantom because he felt betrayed and forgotten from society. I too felt that without realization. I feel that way because the world took Joesph away from me and also because I was a premature baby, I have a learning disability. I was in an incubator for three months and that does alot to your brain. So even till this day, I have never gotten the help I needed because everyone thinks of me as normal when I'm not. So I have battling with society to get the help that I need and for that, I feel forgotten.

 With Erik by myside it has given me the courage to go and fight because I am not alone and I am speaking for those who are also in my shoes.

 But I have always had the Phantom beside me and still do untill this day.

For it is the Phantom that is a comfort and I'll always have here inside my heart until the end of time. 

The End.

That is the story of how I meet the Phantom. I have finally over came my grief through counseling and a tv show called "Starting over." Check out there website www.startingovertv.com

I like them because they said it' s all in your mind. If you change the way you think, you will feel better. Having posted notes with lingoe's that reminded you of that helps too. So I made my own"Love life and Live life." Since I didn't do both.

I hope for anyone who reads this and feels the way I use to will talk to me because I'd love to help you out. The Phantom showed me "We are not alone" that's the best comfort ever.

 That's why I will always love The Phantom of the opera.