"Firework" - A letter to Katy Perry that was never sent

My name is Jenny and I am a 55-year-old mother of four. I have three boys and my youngest is a girl. Your music, one song in particular, has had a tremendous impact on my life and I wanted to share the story with you. I’ve written this letter many times, yet always had the feeling it wasn’t time yet. I feel it is now. Let me first begin by saying that I feel we are given signs all the time. Most of us don’t notice or choose not to listen. But, when they come in loud and clear, we really have no choice. Your song, “Firework,” is such a sign. Next, I don’t think God lets bad things happen to people. Some may not be comfortable with this perspective but I view these “bad experiences” as opportunities for growth. It is what we do with those bad experiences that make all the difference.

When my daughter was in second grade, we became absolutely enthralled with your music. I took her to see your movie and immediately purchased your CD afterwards. My daughter is nearly 19, so this was quite a few years ago. We always listened to your CD as we drove to swim practice. Many of the songs’ upbeat tempos motivated her to do well at practice. Yet your song “Firework,” resonated on a deeper level.

At the time, I taught second grade and often thought of my students as I listened to the song. It made me feel more empathy and understanding for what they might be going through. I started an exercise where we said a positive chant every morning, and the way I responded to them, and how they responded to each other, began to change…. more empathy, more caring.

During this time, I was also working on a middle grade novel about bullying. I became

absolutely fascinated by the topic and tried to learn as much as I could on the subject. I was asked to be a VA representative for the Bully Police, and my first speaking engagement was down in Orange, VA on October 12, 2013. I remember this date, as the next day my life would be forever changed. As I prepared for the “talk,” I wanted to play “Firework” before I came on to the stage. My boys warned me that the audience would probably like country music, and this might not be the best choice. Hence, I never pursued this request. Ironically enough as I was cued to walk on stage, your song, “Firework” was blasting throughout the school grounds. It was a sign.

The next morning, my daughter had a very early swim meet. We were out the door by 6am. As we neared the swim meet, I asked what song she would like played to get her pumped up and ready. “Firework!” she exclaimed. I put it on and proceeded down the parkway.

Just as I started to cross through the intersection, two blinding lights came straight at me. The lights were so strong, I was completely disoriented and thought a train was heading straight for us. In that instant, I thought that this was it; my daughter and I were going to die. As the car smashed up against the embankment, I yelled for my daughter. She started to scream as I had a lot of blood all over me. I rested my hand on my throbbing leg, nearly at my chest. I knew it was badly broken.

Thankfully, my daughter was fine. She later said that as it was happening, she saw angels all around her. Her seat was the only one in the entire car that was not damaged. We were also quite lucky to have had two off duty EMT’s directly behind us as well as two Civil Air Patrolmen heading to a training session. The four of these individuals jumped out of their cars and helped us immediately. One of them jumped in and held my neck for nearly an hour; fearful the car might blow up. He stayed anyway. As the fireman brought in the jaws of life and waited for the helicopter to arrive, guess what song played over and over again? Firework.

It took 6 surgeries, loads of PT, an extremely supportive family, and wonderful friends, to recover. I was told by a few doctors that it would be too difficult to return to teaching. I was told I would never ski, surf, crawl, or run again. I was told that the pain might be something I would just have to live with and I should count on more surgeries in the future. Being absent for extended periods of time was not healthy for my students, so my employer and I came to an agreeable resolution. I stepped away from my teaching position.

I was never angry with the man who ran the red light. I also believe mistakes are life lessons albeit painful. At times I would allow myself a pity party, as my kids couldn’t remember their mom who used to play soccer with them, or jump on the trampoline. I couldn’t go on walks through the woods with my husband like we used to do every night.

Then, one day it hit me like a ton of bricks. This accident was a wake-up call for me. It was a message. I started to wonder what I was supposed to learn from all of this? As the days passed, I began to believe that this was necessary to get me back on my life’s path. I had to be quiet and think about what I was passionate about.

A couple of months later, I met with a rehab vocational specialist who looked me right in the

eyes and said, “Why don’t you consider going back to school? You’ll never make a living going around speaking at organizations about bullying. Why don’t you really dig in deep and learn everything you can about the subject and become an expert?”

So, I did.

As I listened to Firework this morning, I listened to your powerful words. If only every child believed they were a Firework, not an empty space, original, cannot be replaced traumatic experience, and is continuing to encourage me to go out and make a difference.

Thanks for the inspiration……it helped change my life!