There’s such a funny little lull in the middle of December. The post-Thanksgiving frenzy has subsided and it’s still just a little too far away from the whole Christmas shebang. The worries and stresses of it all have the opportunity to creep in. People are driving a little crazier. Their tempers are a little shorter. Their grace supply running a little low.
When I was recently at the grocery store, a lady behind me in line asked if I would watch her cart so she could get the crackers she forgot. I told her that would be fine. I jokingly added something about tossing her cart out by the curb if she didn’t come back. She laughed as she walked away and when she came back expressed her thanks. As I waited for the lovely grocery store employee to finish ringing up my order, the lady behind me said: “If you want to start your diet early…” My ears started to ring. I could hear her say something about a man who has written several books that I can get at Barnes and Noble. She said something about book titles with wellness and something about celery.
I had my first baby in 2022 and my second in 2023. The societal pressure for someone to “bounce back” after that kind of thing is ENORMOUS. I feel like I’ve worked really really hard to be strong and healthy to be able to take care of, and keep up with, my kids. This interaction SHOOK me.
In the moment, I just acted like I was listening to her, paid for my groceries, and then almost RAN from the store to my car. My mother was with me and we were flabbergasted. I tried to analyze it from every angle to try to understand. I couldn’t. I still can’t. I am trying to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume the best of her. Aside from that, I’m trying to learn from it.
I’m learning how sensitive I am about that topic. I’m learning that giving advice, even if the giving is from a positive place, it can have a devastating impact. Those are two intense lessons and that’s good enough for me right now.
I guess the point of sharing all this is that even in the bleak, there’s something valuable to be found. Eh, I don’t even know if I believe that on this particular day. I’ll probably believe it more after a good night of rest and a cup of apple cider tea in the morning.
The undeniable nugget to come from times like these? Always inspiration for getting words on the page.
Sparks 