After our family nap this afternoon, my husband suggested we get the heck out of the house and go do something! I was wearing a cute outfit, my hair looked okay, and I was feeling like going out. We decided to grab a bite to eat at our favorite little Fresh Salsa Mexican restaurant and treat ourselves to a small ice cream.While we were there, I noticed a small group of teenage guys who were acting their age, but it didn't bother me at all. My family and I just kept to ourselves and enjoyed our family outing. After eating half of my burrito (my two year old ate more than me, so that was good!), I started heading to the soda machine to get my son some more water. The group of guys arrived at the same time I did, so I flashed a smile and backed up so that they could go first. They appeared to be in their own little world and I wasn't in a hurry. I got the water, walked to our van and started settling in our boys.
I reached over to lay our leftovers onto the floor when I heard it..."Woo-hoo look at me (unintelligible), I'm a WHALE! Check out the whale. Tee-hee-hee-hee ha ha ha ha ha...".
OMG. Did that really just happen? A car carrying the gaggle of teenage boys fled past our van and sped away with cheers and fits of laughter as they hung their heads out the windows. Mortified, I asked my husband, "What did they say?" as if I hadn't heard. He also chose to play dumb, probably guarding my feelings (thanks Honey) and denied understanding the yelling.
I'm telling you, I have finally earned my Black Belt, my PhD in embarrassing moments. People around here are just not used to seeing overweight people. The truth of the matter is that I live in a very yuppy, wealthy area full of woman who would rather work out five times a day at their $300 a month gyms than stay at home and take care of their children. The overweight people are forced into hiding in fear of being made fun of and stared at.
I was mortified. I was called a whale. In public. In front of my whole family. People are so cruel.
Normally I would stew and fester inside while desperately trying to plan my next fast food run so I could place an order for $10 worth of fried, greasy band-aids to heal the pain. But, this time, I called my best friend, ooohed and awwwed about what had happened and I feel totally over it already. Moving right along...
(UPDATE: I am now covered in hives. Weird. Maybe I am more bothered by my experience than I am aware!? I'm not really thinking about it anymore, so I don't really understand how there could be a possible connection.)
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6 comments:
I could cry or smile at reading your post. Cry because the boys may never understand their actions and the resulting pain of them, and then I smile because of your ultimate reaction to the event. I once read that some people go through life like they are garbage trucks. Full of it, and prone to 'losing some of it' along the way. Where does that garbage fall? Right on the heads of unsuspecting, and totally inocent passers-by. You got some garbage today. Will you keep it? Or will you dump it where it belongs, and move along with life with a grateful smile on your face. God loves to have us 'dump' our frustrations and hurts on Him. The 'old' us, used to feel dumped on, and then go get some more 'garbage' to cover up the trash someone else threw our way!!! How silly and counterproductive!!! I'm so glad you didn't go get some of those fried band-aids/garbage to deal with the situaion. That scale will happily reward you soon, my dear!!
You know, it's always those moments where I wonder what *I* might have done when I was young and stupid that hurt some random passerby.
Don't let it get to you. Teenagers are idiots. Male ones, particularly so.
*hugs*
Hi there. I recently discovered your blog and I'm trying to lose weight myself. I totally feel your pain. People can be so cruel and I'm so sorry you were subjected to that. For some reason, people get the idea that overweight people don't deserve their respect. At least in this case you can say, they're just kids. It's really hurtful when it comes from an uncaring adult or loved one...But you can do this in spite of the challenges and hurts--we all can! Best of luck to you!
~Bethany
Okay, you must live in skinniville, because I see lots of people your size (and mine!) everyday. I live in a major northern city. You are a very attractive woman, and you are on your way to being a thinner attractive woman.
As for the boys, well, Karma's a b**** as they'll one day find out when they lose their speedy metabolisms!
You handled it perfectly.
Awww... I am SO sorry that happened to you yesterday! The way those boys acted is just horrible! It's sad to think that they would judge someone by their size... and not be able to see how horrible their own attitudes and actions are.
Teenage boys. Can't live with 'em. Can't shoot 'em. Or can we?????? Hmmmmmm.
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