A Step....

Every year, I go to a clothing exchange.  Women bring in all kinds of clothing.  All items are sold for a dollar each.  All the money goes to charity.  I love this event.

But this year was different.  This year, I donated so much more than I took away.  This year, I was honest with myself.

I have continued to gain weight.  Yes, it's my fault.  While I have a syndrome that makes weight an issue for me, I can't honestly say I did everything I was supposed to do.  When I was good, I was very good.  But when I was bad....

I could go on and on about excuses and emotional eating.  I could even go on about what I did right.  But that is not what this post is about.

This post is about the step I took today.

I gave away over 100 items of clothing.  100 items.  How embarrassing is that?  Who has 100 items to give away. 

I do.  I did.  I had 100 items of clothing to donate.  100 items of clothing I hoped to be able to wear one day.  I gave it all away.

There may be a day.  Oh I hope there is a day.  A day when that clothing will fit me.  But it doesn't now.  I hung in my closet day after day after day taunting me.  Reminding me of where I used to be.

I haven't given up.  That is still a hope--a goal.  But I didn't want to look at it anymore. 

I got rid of clothes that don't look right. Clothes that don't fit.  So many clothes that were dark and black.  Clothes that represented some future acceptance of myself.

Now I have a different closet.  I have clothes that actually have bright colors.  I have clothes that make me feel comfortable.  I have clothes that actual fit. 

And I have open space.  I have space for whoever I am.

I don't have an ideal body.  I'm overweight with curves and bumps where they shouldn't be.  But it's also my body.  It is still healthy.  It still gets me through the day everyday.  That reason alone should be a reason to appreciate my body.  I'm trying, but I'm not there. 

But today, I let go.  I didn't let go of who I hope to be one day.  I'm still working towards that.  Today I let go of the expectations and started working towards self acceptance.

I'm trying to like myself as I am today.  I'm trying to find those things that I love and respect about myself.  And that is enough--for now.

Do You Know What It's Like?

Do you know what it's like?

Life isn't like it was when we were kids.  You move about blissfully in life not realizing the trail you burn behind you.

We see it.  You don't realize it, but we see it.

We see all the times you are 15-20 minutes away from us as you spend time with the other child.  Too busy to see our accomplishments.  Too busy to recognize your grandchildren's birthdays.  Too busy to wish your eldest a safe trip as she leaves the country for the first time.  Just too busy for us.  You think it goes unnoticed.  It doesn't.

We get birthday wishes and Christmas greetings.  She gets everything. 

We were blessed.  We are blessed.  We have a woman we get to call mom who would give her life for us.  We have a man who would do the same.  Would you give your life for us?  Our mother and the man we call dad have done so much for us in so many ways.  Most importantly, they have been there for us emotionally.  So we are covered.  But where were you? 

The other child is getting married.  We found out through Facebook.  Is that your idea of family?  A Facebook post? 

You have been in the area.  You have been 15 minutes away for several weeks.  You couldn't wish your grandson a happy 16th birthday?  You couldn't wish your eldest granddaughter a happy 18th birthday?  Your youngest is hitting double digits.  Will that go unnoticed too?

We had a chance to be a family.  The divorce happened.  It was incredibly tough for all of us.  My mother chose family.  We were connected to family that was around.  Never was said a negative word about you.  And you chose to detach.  I actually had to schedule my high school graduation to be with you and my mom at separate times.  You couldn't even give me that day.

We spent more time with your "new" family on the weekends we spent with you.  We were merely accessories.  We tagged along where you wanted us to go. 

And when you moved away, you chose to spend your time back in the area with the new family, not your own kids.

The cycle continues.  Two kids, all grown up, are on the outside looking in on the family we could have been a part of so long ago.  Two kids still trying to figure out why we aren't enough for you.  Even worse, how can this person continue to do this to your grandchildren???

So those two kids sit on the sidelines watching your excitement for the upcoming wedding. While we are happy for the situation, the hurt is real.  You didn't come to help as we moved into new homes.  You didn't show up just to spend a weekend with us.  We didn't have you helping us through those college years.  You weren't there when the grandchildren were born. So many family events.  So many moments you will never get back.  So many moments we can't get back.
 
Yes.  It is jealousy.  Why shouldn't it be?  She gets the father we were supposed to have.  The one we didn't get.  The other person who was supposed to love us no matter what. 

We get birthday wishes and Christmas greetings.  She gets everything.  She get a father.