In the Image and Likeness

I stopped short yesterday as I went to climb out of my car. A friend of my brother in law’s was helping out around the house and he commented on my skinny legs. He said that my dad also had skinny legs. “Yeah,” I said, “That’s where I got them.” Instead of leaving it at that, he went on to “encourage me” to start an exercise program! Excuuuuuse me?

I will tell you, I wasn’t looking my best, as I had to change my shirt three times yesterday because of the yellow-jacket sting that I got on Tuesday, handing this bozo a bag of chips. My right arm is swollen from my wrist to my shoulder and it is painful and itchy! The outfit I had on was stretchy capris with a knit top. No, not the most flattering, but the first top I had put on did not look nice. The second top I had on cut across my sore arm and left a dent, though it did hold in more of me. The third was stretchy and by that point I didn’t care if I looked like a supermodel! I hurt and I just wanted to be comfortable.

I was so angry, it was a good thing God sent another yellow jacket to scare me away before I said anything! He hurt my feelings. It’s not like I’m hugely overweight. I know who I am. I am a mother who has had two single births and a twin birth. That will do a lot to a body. However, my body is still standing here and carries me through all that I need to accomplish everyday. And aren’t we all, after all, made in the image and likeness of God?

This has been a pet peeve of mine for many, many years. Thin people telling heavier people how to exercise and what to eat to lose weight. Excuse me, but who died and left you God? I eat pretty healthily. I had a bowl of my homemade bone-beef-broth soup that day with some crackers for lunch. What did he eat? Said bag of potato chips!!! I had had those for several weeks (maybe even months) and had never touched them. It’s not that I don’t eat chips. It’s just that I don’t eat them that often and not that many when I do. How dare anyone judge me!

Today, I will have to set some ground rules with him. No talking about my ex, especially in front of the kids (one of whom he totally freaked out by saying that some day they will all hug him and tell him he is forgiven!) I told him not to bet the house on that! Also, no talking about diet/exercise/weight. Can you imagine if he had judged one of the kids? My first child would have told him exactly where to go. My second child thinks he’s nuts. My third child would cry and then try to hurt herself. My fourth child would cry. I must stop him before he hurts the children that have already been hurt too much by their father! So, even though I hate confrontation, I will do it to protect my babies. I am, after all, well schooled in the catechism that says we are made in His image and likeness and to judge not lest you be judged! Didn’t we just hear that gospel at Mass last Sunday? Yikes!