Just when things are going so well, an old lady at the pool can knock you flat. The Fourth of July weekend was approaching, and there was a sense of excitement and anticipation that only comes with a long summer weekend.
I had
just finished my first triathlon the weekend before, and was feeling pretty
good about myself. It was the first thing that had given me a sense of
achievement in a very long time. Not
only did I finish a triathlon, but I also remembered to bring my kids’ pajamas
to the town pool, so after they went swimming I would stick them in the shower
to rinse off, put those pjs on and we’d be halfway to bed!
Feeling pretty proud of myself, I walked over to our chaise
by the pool to get the kids’ towels when this older woman with a big smile came
up to me. I was so preoccupied with the kids that I didn’t
immediately realize she was talking to me. But then I realized she was, and
what she said registered in my brain. “You look so cute, when are you due?”
Rudely, I responded, what? Because I truly couldn’t believe
she was asking me this. So, she asked again, just to make sure she got her
point across.
“You look so cute.” (Ok, this part I can take. Thanks,
strange lady!)
“When are you due?” (Ugh. Just take that exposed nerve that
I so desperately try to hide or ignore and yank on it for everyone to see!)
I was so flustered. I just muttered a “thanks” and ran as
fast as I could to my kids in the
locker room.
At times like this, I actually feel badly for the person making
the faux pas, even if it’s at my expense, and I don’t want to make them feel
worse. However, I’ll admit I’ve fantasized of a million different comebacks
five days too late.
The thing is, she's not totally off base-- I do look pregnant sometimes. After the birth of my
son five years ago I’ve had diastasis recti. I run four to five times a week,
go to boot camp classes at the gym and the occasional yoga class, so I’m not
fat by any stretch. It’s just that
I look like I’m four to five months pregnant all the time. I look like Gru from
Despicable Me—skinny legs and arms and a big torso.
My Gru-ness is something I’ve struggled with for five years,
but had come to some sort of peace with recently. I’m a mother, and after you
have two kids your body changes. But I’m fit and I’m proud of what my body has
and still does accomplish—especially after finishing my first tri. But one
comment from a stranger at the pool can easily knock me back years.
