Nothing compared

1990 was a year of change and discovery in the world. Mikhail Gorbachev was elected the first president of the Soviet Union. The Hubble space telescope was launched. The Gulf War began. Ireland elected their first female president. The best preserved T-Rex specimen ever found was discovered in South Dakota.

I was in middle school. Teachers discussed world events with passion and interest. I listened and learned, enough to get my As and Bs. My mind and heart, however, were elsewhere.

The boy I "loved" just wasn't interested in me.

One of the top 5 hits of 1990 was Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares To You. Her drastic shaved head got everyone's attention. And for me, her battered and bruised soul was a reflection of my dramatic rejection.

 It's been seven hours and fifteen days 
Since you took your love away
(You danced with me two weeks ago at a party and never asked me to "go" with you)

I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away
(I go out when my parents say I can and I wake when they get me up in the morning. But I really wish I could sleep all day and be sad)

Since you've been gone I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose
(I still try to sit next to you in math class, but you sit with your buddy now. If I go to another party, I guess I'll dance with someone else)

I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
(Probably having Chinese food with my parents tonight)

But nothing
I said nothing can take away these blues
(Our love was so strong during that one dance at our classmates house. My heart is shattered, it was love)

'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
(I will never get over you)

--Lyrics by Sinead O'Connor, pre-teen translation by yours truly.

Part of me looks forward to these days with Amelia. I can't help but find amusement in the drama. Hopefully, if I hold on to my memories of those days, I may also identify with her heartbreaks and embarrassments and be the mom she needs.


A special thank you to @mamakatslosinit, whose pretty much world famous writing prompts help me out of many a writing funk.