No, Mom I’m not. I know she reads my little blog and I may or may not have just given her a miniature heart attack… and for that I apologize. But in all seriousness? I got asked that question by two strangers at the zoo yesterday.
How brave do you have to be to ask if someone is pregnant? I know I only ask my dear friends(because I keep willing them to have babies) and have never been so brazen than to ask a complete stranger.
Funny how life is sometimes. Just when I think I’ve started to look like my normal self and BAM.
Reality check.
Maybe I do look pregnant to some? I feel awash with emotions at this topic. I long to be able to have a third child and that is just not in the cards for us. My heart gave out when I was in active labor with Em and I was not given very good odds at surviving another pregnancy. So as much as my husband and I were not prepared to be done. That chapter was closed, well slammed very unexpectedly.
Please know that we are very well aware at how lucky we are. Both Raymond and Emma Marie are everything we could have asked for and we thank the stars that we get to be their parents every day.
The two women at the zoo started asking about the double stroller I was using and ended with the question, “Are you pregnant?” I thought it was a joke at first(weird thing to joke about with strangers-I now “get that”) and laughed… before realizing they meant the question and I said firmly, “No.” As I realized their intentions weren’t kind(by the looks on their faces) I motioned Raymond and Emma to head toward the next animal exhibit- but who wants to leave the cheetahs when they are running around? Nobody.
So as I herded them, reluctantly away the two women smirked, laughed, and said, “Well, she looks pregnant.”
Ouch.
Ouch on so many levels. Fat shaming? Emotional grenade?
Goodness. It hit me like a ton of bricks when I got home. I put both kids to sleep and found myself aching inside as I sat by myself at the kitchen table.
There will always be those negative people in life. That mean to do harm. And I know I have a choice to listen or to ignore.
I worked out hard last night. I will continue to make healthy choices for myself and my life.
I just wanted to remind you that your choices matter. How you treat people matter. How you choose to act in front of your children? It all matters.
Choose kindness.
I am so thankful that I am surrounded in life and online by an incredible group of people that will always out shine those that mean to do harm.
Thank you for everything you do and for everything you are. ~Holly Marie
