Room To Breathe

Days go by and you’re still half a world away,
Before I know it, yesterday turns into today.
I cling to the phone sitting in silence just to hear you breathe,
I know you’re okay; we’ve made it through another day with a little room to breathe.
These letters and these pictures are the only piece of you I have to hold on to,
At times I’m so wrapped up in them my world only has enough room for me and you.
For a few minutes the days of waiting are all worth my while,
And if I close my eyes and just listen, I can actually hear you crack a smile.
We make plans and promises we swear we’ll never break,
We talk about the memories and vows we can’t wait to make,
Somehow we’re still together even though we’re far apart,
The miles don’t matter; distance means nothing between your arms and my heart.
I long for the moments sitting on the phone in silence when I can hear you breathe,
I know you’re okay; we’ve made it through another day with a little room to breathe.
I find it so hard to leave yesterday behind,
Because the seconds feel like days and it’s hard to occupy my mind.
Thoughts of you keep me up in bed at night,
I can’t help but wonder; is it safe where you lay your head tonight?
Are you carrying little pieces of me with you?
Is that enough to get you through?
I just wanna sit on the phone in silence so I can hear you breathe,
I need to know you’re okay; need to know we’ve made it through another day so I can have a little room to breathe.
I need to know we’re still living under the same moon,
It’ll all be over, you’ll come home soon.
Cuz paper hearts they tear; smiles begin to wear.
I need to feel you there; feel my lungs breathe your same air.
I won’t be at peace till you’re with me,
And I won’t sleep till you fill up this empty space next to me.
But for now I’ll hold onto the static laced with the silent sounds you make when you breathe,
For today, I’ll know you’re okay; we’ve made it through another day,
And for a few moments I finally have a little room to breathe.

This intellectual property belongs to Kattie Lindsay. Do not copy, replicate, change this, or claim it as your own. You’re welcome to share this if proper writing credit is given upon doing so.
© Kattie Lindsay 2016

Unjustly Bare

Unjustly Bare—Kattie Lindsay 10/30/2011

It’s the kind of eyes you can’t help but get lost in,

Because it’s such a familiar place—a place you’ve already been.

It’s the kind of smile you just can’t help but give in to,

Because it’s so inviting and intoxicating, it makes you forget what’s really true.

It’s the kind of weakness you somehow find strength in,

But still, the rope frays and it wears you completely thin.

Soon enough you find yourself so unjustly bare,

Wondering just how exactly you let yourself get there.

And it’s not fair,

That once again you’ve let those familiar eyes leave you so unjustly bare.

It’s the kind of heart you just can’t help but love,

Because it’s something you want nothing more than to be a part of.

It’s the kind of touch you can’t help but reach out for,

Because once you’re given an inch, you want to take a mile more.

It’s the kind of danger you somehow find hope in,

But still, the rope frays and it wears you completely thin.

Soon enough you find yourself so unjustly bare,

Wondering just how exactly you let yourself get there.

And it’s not fair,

That once again the love you wanted so much to be a part of has left you so unjustly bare.

It’s the steps you take that circles right back to that same door,

Because being alone is worse than ending up on that cold concrete floor.

It’s those moments where no words are needed to take your breath away,

Because that’s what keeps you ending up here once again at the end of the day.

It’s the kind of misery you find comfort in,

But still, the rope frays and it wears you completely thin.

Soon enough you find yourself so unjustly bare,

Wondering just how exactly you let yourself get there.

And it’s not fair,

That these circles bring you right back to a door that no one will answer while you’re waiting outside standing all alone, so unjustly bare.

This intellectual property belongs to Kattie Lindsay. Do not copy, replicate, change this, or claim it as your own. You’re welcome to share this if proper writing credit is given upon doing so.
© Kattie Lindsay 2016

Louder Than A Bomb

You play me like a fiddle, you know?

You take it fast, and then you take it slow.

It’s an up and down, winding rollercoaster ride,

But regardless I still yearn for you to be by my side.

Your lies sound so pretty, I find them hard to resist,

And the only thing I find solace in is hoping some truth in them exists.

Why do you keep pulling me in so close and then pushing me away?

The rope you have around my soul is beginning to fray.

I don’t want to give you up, but I don’t know if my heart will let me stay.

Do you understand that the emptiness I see in your eyes speaks volumes?

And the words you keep inside are ringing out louder than a bomb.

Your pure silence is deafening to my ears,

But still I hold out hope for your voice after all of these years.

You play me like a puppet, I am at your will.

You pull me up, you pull me down, does it give you a cheap thrill?

These strings are worn and ready to break,

And I can’t promise that I’ll still be here when you wake.

Please just show me that you want me too,

And I’ll stand by you and do what it takes to get us through.

Cut these strings that you continue to use to manipulate my heart,

Let me love you without condition before this all falls apart.

Please don’t make me give up on you, give me one good reason to stay,

Breathe life into my soul once again before this rope completely frays.

Bring back that light in your eyes that speaks volumes to me,

Show me that light in your eyes that once reflected you and reflected me.

Speak the words you used to mean, the ones that always rang out louder than a bomb.

Because I can’t stand your silence anymore, it’s deafening to my ears.

I’m still holding out hope to hear your true voice, even after these seven painful years.

Show me you.

Show me your love.

Tell me I’m not foolish for holding on to you.

Take me in your arms and let our love ring out louder than a bomb.

Let our love spark.

Let our love ignite.

Let our love blast,

Because you and I both know it can once again ring louder than a bomb.

This intellectual property belongs to Kattie Lindsay. Do not copy, replicate, change this, or claim it as your own. You’re welcome to share this if proper writing credit is given upon doing so.
© Kattie Lindsay 2016

If You're Listening

As long as you continue to live inside of me,

I won’t let you forget me,

No, I won’t let you forget me.

As long as I’m existing with a broken heart,

I won’t let you see me fall apart,

No, I won’t let you see me fall apart.

And as long as I have to bare this indelible tattoo,

I won’t stop writing about you,

No, I won’t stop writing about you.

So if you’re listening, I hope you understand how much this hurts.

I’ve wiped away a million tears trying to get over you,

And braved a thousand hurricanes just to get away from you.

But you, you’ve always been undeniably unattainable,

So impossibly, inexplicably, unattainable.

I was running from myself, never from you.

You were never close enough to grasp, just close enough to stay in view.

You took me, you shook me, you left me on my knees begging for more,

But in the end the only thing I have left of you are in boxes on my floor.

As long as you continue to live inside of me,

I won’t let you forget me,

No, I won’t let you forget me.

As long as I’m existing with a broken heart,

I won’t let you see me fall apart,

No, I won’t let you see me fall apart.

And as long as I have to bare this indelible tattoo,

I won’t stop writing about you,

No I won’t stop writing about you.

So if you’re listening, I hope you understand how much this hurts.

Here I am today to tell you about the holes you left in my soul,

And how I’d like you to give back the parts of me that you stole.

Please, just breathe back the life that used to live in this broken girl.

I know you’re listening now, and I hope you understand just how much this hurts.

I can go now, there’s nothing left to chase,

I don’t have any more steps left to retrace.

It’s gonna be a long and empty road,

But it’s off my mind, so I’m handing you this load.

As I let the pieces of you slowly die inside of me,

I know you won’t forget me,

No, I know you can’t forget me.

As long as you’re existing with a blackened heart,

I know you’ll soon fall apart,

Yeah, I know you’ll soon fall apart.

And as long as you continue to be so unattainable,

I know everything in front of you will undoubtedly be unobtainable.

But still, I won’t stop wondering about you.

And no, I won’t stop writing about you.

So while you’re listening, I hope you can feel just how much this still hurts.

This intellectual property belongs to Kattie Lindsay. Do not copy, replicate, change this, or claim it as your own. You’re welcome to share this if proper writing credit is given upon doing so.
© Kattie Lindsay 2016

Falling A Thousand Feet

Falling A Thousand Feet

I live for your smile and I breathe for your touch,

I know I won’t get any sleep tonight because I miss you too much.

I long to see the light that shines in your eyes,

But for now I’ll settle for the millions of stars that fill the skies.

Now I’ll just close my eyes and drown out the world, so I can still hear your heart beat.

And when I close my eyes and drown out the world, I can feel myself falling a thousand feet.

I knew the moment I jumped into your arms that there was no turning back,

Within a split second I realized we were on the same track.

My heart skipped a beat, maybe even two,

And just then I knew that I’d never find another you.

So as I close my eyes and drown out the world, I can still hear your heart beat.

And while I close my eyes and drown out the world, I can still feel myself falling a thousand feet.

If this is just a dream, please don’t wake me, please don’t shake me,

I’d rather just keep dreaming in our new world that consists of you and me.

You hold my heart and soul in the palm of your hands,

I want you to keep it until time just stands.

You light up my life like a million city lights,

And one night without you feels like a billion lonely nights.

But right now, I’m holding on to the sound of your heart beat,

Just simply hoping I’m not the only one falling a thousand feet.

This intellectual property belongs to Kattie Lindsay. Do not copy, replicate, change this, or claim it as your own. You’re welcome to share this if proper writing credit is given upon doing so.

© Kattie Lindsay 2016

The Influence of Teen Mom

The Influence of Teen Mom

Kattie Lindsay

Stevens-Henager College

Abstract

In this paper I will be discussing the hit reality series Teen Mom from MTV. I will talk about the influence I think it has and still continues to have on American culture, and whether or not this is a good or bad thing. I will also be discussing some statistics on teen pregnancy in America, and what I think needs to happen in order to make a change and lower those statistics.





Teen Mom is a reality show spin-off from MTV’s 16 and Pregnant. The show follows the journeys of four teen mothers as they try to juggle raising their child, working full time jobs, going to school, money, relationships with friends and family, dating, and the relationships with their child’s father. The insight into teen parenting that Teen Mom provides its audience is not only inspirational and educational, but it is deeply influential on American culture. In my heart I truly believe this show is one of the most influential shows on television today, and my intention in writing this paper is to prove why I believe that.

Teen Mom premiered on MTV December 8, 2009 with over 2.1 million viewers and was the networks highest rated premiere during 2009. Teen Mom continues to be MTV’s highest rated show on the air to-date. The show just wrapped up its second season, and has already been picked up for a third season set to air next spring.

Unlike some “reality” shows, Teen Mom is actually reality. There is no script or preconceived storyline. It is purely based on the real lives of four teen mothers. Some might argue that this show glamorizes teen pregnancy and teen parenting, but I would have to disagree with that. I think that Teen Mom greatly portrays the hardships these young girls face in their everyday lives. For instance—during the second season—MTV showed raw footage of a disagreement between one of the four teen moms, Amber and her fiancé Gary, things got very heated and it ended in a very disturbing physical domestic violence altercation. Woman-on-man domestic violence is something rarely talked about in society, let alone shown on television. Personally I thought that scene in itself was very influential. It showed something that unfortunately happens every day, but hardly ever gets talked about. I applaud MTV for having the courage to put that scene on the air instead of easily editing it out for the comfort of its viewers. Sure it was pretty hard to watch; but it also brought a very serious issue to the table for all of America to see, contemplate, and discuss openly.

Teen Mom also shows another option one teen mom chose for her child, which is adoption. Catelynn and her boyfriend Tyler—who were both juniors in high school when she got pregnant—decided to give their baby girl up for an open-adoption. Throughout the show you see them battle with their decision to give their child away, as well as the bitterness from both of their parents about the adoption. I think this side of teen parenting is as important to show as the teen moms who have kept their children. By showing Catelynn and Tyler’s story it gives insight into another option that is out there for a pregnant teen facing parenthood. MTV shows the real side of adoption and the struggles that follow after the papers are signed and the child is handed over, which I think is a very positive influence on society.

A lot of people may have thought that Catelynn and Tyler didn’t care about their child and gave her away to continue living life as normal teenagers, which couldn’t be further from the truth. You can clearly see the pain in both of their eyes when their adoption councilor brings them the monthly photos of their daughter, but even through the pain they both explain that it was the right decision for their child because they wanted her to have a good life and a stable home. Through adoption they were able to give that kind of life to their daughter which is something they felt they themselves could not provide. And though it wasn’t an easy choice for them, it was the right choice for their child. Many people don’t get to see that end result of teen pregnancy, and I think it is important that MTV shows it so that other pregnant teens can look into adoption as a possibility and realize that there are options out there for them.

At the end of every season of Teen Mom there is a follow-up show hosted by Dr. Drew Pinksy who is “One of the most listened to doctors in America, Dr. Drew is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show ‘Loveline’ where he has been taking calls from listeners since 1984. Many people do not know that Dr. Drew is a practicing physician who is board certified in internal and addiction medicine, sill runs a private practice, is on staff at Huntington Memorial Hospital and is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Keck USC School of Medicine.” (Swihart, 2010). During these follow-up shows, Dr. Drew brings to light the constant challenges these teen parents face daily. He also explains statistics about teen pregnancy to inform the public about the facts. Dr. Drew also talks about how to talk to your teen about the issue, and also how to prevent teen pregnancy. I feel that he is a great asset to Teen Mom because so many people are familiar with Dr. Drew and completely respect him and his opinion. And because of that, I think his input on the show is the most influential part of it.

I think that other teens watching the show probably get a lot out of seeing the struggles these teen parents face and the challenges they have to go through each day. It certainly gets them thinking, and talking. Dr. Drew conducted a survey online for Teen Mom viewers about what they have taken away from the show. More than eighty percent say they understand and avoid teen pregnancy, seventy-eight percent say they have started conversations about teen pregnancy and how to avoid it, and almost sixty percent say they have talked to their parents about teen pregnancy and discussed precautions on how to avoid teen pregnancy. To me this is astounding because it is a fact that the U.S. has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the industrialized world. I feel the results of that survey prove my theory that Teen Mom is very influential in American culture. This show is educating millions of Americans about the real risk of teen pregnancy, and showing it is not as fun or as easy as some teens may think it is.

I already knew the struggles of what being a young parent was like because my sister became a mother shortly after her 17th birthday. I saw what a teen parent goes through first hand, but my sister was one of the few lucky teen moms out there because her daughter’s father is a great guy and stuck around and provided for his new family. She was also able to stay in school by attending an alternative high school that is just for teen mothers where she could take her daughter with her every day. She worked very hard all through her junior and senior years of high school and graduated on time with her class in 2002. I am happy to say that my sister and her children’s father are still happily married. They have been together for almost 11 years, and they have three beautiful daughters.

So when I became a mother at the age of 20—and I need to add that although I love my son with all my heart and I do not regret having him in any way, shape, or form—I think I had envisioned my experience to end up like hers. But it did not turn out that way, and now I am a single mother raising my son all on my own. I know if Teen Mom was on the air before I ever got pregnant I would have realized that not all situations end up the way my sisters did. But still with that said, I am not trying to down play my sisters struggles and difficulties being a teen mom because her life has been far from easy and perfect.

My hopes are that Teen Mom will open more teenagers and parents eyes to the struggles and consequences of having sex at a young age and the very real possibility of teen pregnancy and parenting. I think if more people watched this show and talked about it with their peers and children, many teen pregnancies could be prevented. I strongly believe the only way to change is through knowledge and education, and I think that is exactly what MTV is bringing to America by airing Teen Mom. With the help of Dr. Drew and the follow-up shows at the season’s end, the facts come out and the education is improved.

In conclusion it is my personal opinion Teen Mom is one of the most influential shows on television within the last decade. I can only hope this show continues to influence teens and educate them about the risks and consequences of teen pregnancy, and hopefully little by little the teen pregnancy rate in America will go down and teens will start being more responsible about their decisions.

References

Swihart, Sara. (2010) Mini Biography. Internet Movie Database/IMDb. Retrieved on October 20,

2010 from: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005314/bio

Never Felt So Right

The moment I saw you wearing that silly red tie,
I knew then, I had to do something to catch your eye.
Then you caught me smiling and sent one back my way,
I couldn’t believe something so simple could take my breath away.
And I’ll admit, sometimes I jump the gun,
But when it’s all said and done,
It just feels so good to run.
Will you run with me?
Take my hand and let’s run into the night,
I think you’ll realize feeling breathless never felt so right.
When the seconds tick by too slow,
And you just want to let go,
Run with me into the night.
You’ll see, being careless never felt so right.
I’m not asking for much, just for you to give this a chance.
I’ll show you that there’s more to me than what you saw with that first glance.
Just lay here with me and listen in silence to the raindrops that fall,
And together we’ll make this great big world seem so small.
Will you run with me?
Take my hand and let’s run into the night,
I think you’ll realize feeling breathless never felt so right.
When the seconds tick by too slow,
And you just want to let go,
Run with me into the night.
You’ll see, being careless never felt so right.
No words are needed tonight,
Because being this happy never felt so right