The power of words. And donuts.

Ok y'all. It just got real. A little wisp of a thing called me F.A.T. *gasp* In Walmart, of all places. In front of my daughter. Yeah, I wanted to throw my basket of jelly filled donuts at her.
Ok...in all honesty, the donuts were for my oldest son. I'm a chocolate glazed kind of gal.
But I digress.
This young gal was looking down as she ambled up the aisle, eyes intently staring at her phone as she texted an OH, so IMPORTANT message. At least, I *assume* it was of dire importance, since she couldn't take a millisecond to glance up. As she strolled closer to us, I pressed myself as far to the left as I could, up against the wall of baby formula, pulling my daughter behind me to allow her to pass. And pass she did. But not before taking off what, if I had been a sedan, would be considered my passenger side mirror.
At long last, she glanced up. And out of her perfectly lipsticked pout flowed these words......
"Move it, fatso."
Well.
That lipstick is starting to look like the proverbial "Jewel in a pig's snout".
Apparently, pretty only goes skin deep. So very sad, really.
Ok. Before I go any further, I want to say that I realize a few things. First, I know I'm not exactly "slim". I will confess, though, that at a fluffy size 14/16, I hardly consider myself a "fatso". At least, I hadn't until tonight. I have learned to appreciate my body in all sizes, and believe me...my body goes through sizes like Taylor Swift goes through boyfriends.
Seven years ago, I was a petite size 2. And then I had 5 babies back-to-back. And breastfed those babies. I literally have been all numerical sizes in between, and I have the boxes of clothes to prove it. But here's the thing.....while I'm breastfeeding, those extra pounds DO NOT BUDGE. Period. I've had 10 postpartum experiences, and during the first 9, I tried EVERY SINGLE DIET KNOWN TO MAN. But nothing works. Until I quit nursing. Then I'll start to get my waist back. But like I said....5 babies in 6 years. Haven't really had time to bounce back yet. And I'm still nursing baby #10.
I have no intention of quiting just yet. It's the best thing for him, and I need a better reason than "I want to lose weight".

All that to say: yes...I could stand to lose a few pounds. But while I know that, and I have time to work on that, I wonder.

Do you, wispy texting gal, know just how much impact you have with your words? Do you even understand or stop to think....how the words you speak, even just passing by, have an effect on those you utter them to?

I came home tonight, not happy about the time I got to spend one-on-one with my precious daughter, but sad and hurt because a complete stranger called me an ugly name in front of her.

Do you know how your words affected her? My sweet, impressionable pre-teen daughter?
I venture to say that no, you don't. You have no clue. I say this because you were so wrapped up in your own existence. In that text that simply couldn't wait.

Do you know how your words affected me? Would you even care that I came home nearly in tears, relating the entire episode to my husband while he sat silently and listened?

Do you know how your words affected my husband, though he didn't hear them directly? No, you wouldn't know that the man that has stood beside me, lifting me up, encouraging me, loving me....you wouldn't know that he felt sad & just a bit helpless. All these years he's spent teaching me to love, respect & appreciate my body....to have confidence in my beauty....all threatened with a 2 second sentence from a stranger.

So as I sit here tonight, I am praying for you. Praying that it was a moment of weakness for you. Praying that you realize, before it's too late, the power of your words. Whether intentional or not. Familiar person or stranger.
Above all, wispy young thing, I pray that you KNOW THAT YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. Because knowing that, deep down in your soul, will help you treat others as if THEY are beautiful.
And they are.
You are.
I am.

Even if I have extra junk in my trunk and donut glaze on my upper lip.
Yum.

PS. Eat a donut. They make everyone smile. :)