An Open Letter To The Loud Mouth At The Gym

Dear Big Boned Yeller,

When you asked me today how many weeks I was, I knew what was coming. I shouldn't have said it, but my response was an apologetic, "I'm only 26 weeks" instead of a more positive "I'm 26 weeks, yippee!" Then, you said it. Or rather you yelled it halfway across the rec center gym, "Are you sure you're only having one?" And then came your laugh and then my face turned red and then I wanted to hurt you. Instead I replied, "You shouldn't say that cause you're a mom and you should know." You then proceeded to try to cover your large and ample bottom by saying how good I look and I've got a cute little tummy blah blah blah. I stopped listening and focused on breathing through my murderous thoughts while hiking uphill to nowhere on the treadmill. Damage done. But here's what I want to say: I don't get two things. One, who am I being compared to? Why, just because my stomach really sticks out when I'm pregnant, does that mean I'm big enough to carry twins or I'm too big for how far along I am or I'm gaining too much weight (which I'm not and for that I'm quite proud of myself because O! goodness you should have seen me with the other two). And two, why do I care what you or anybody else thinks? I want more than anything to teach my children, especially my daughter(s), to have self-confidence and to like who they are and be grateful for how they look. How can I teach that when I don't have that ability myself? Ay, there's the rub. But I've heard that's what your 30's are for: self acceptance. I hope so. I'm trying.

So, lady with no internal dialogue, just keep your distance because next time I see you, I may just bowl you over with MY BIG BELLY!!!!

Watch out!