Fat B*tch
That’s what she called me.
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And I laughed.
I won’t go into the details about what happened, because it’s pretty much irrelevant. The takeaway is that this was a very angry (obviously), seemingly very uptight (just my observation) woman, who believed me to be in her way (I wasn’t). And she thought it very important to tell me that by screaming at me and calling me a name.
It was so bizarre to me that when she started yelling at me, I laughed. I couldn’t help it. And that, apparently, pissed her off even more. So she called me a fat bitch and drove away.
And I laughed harder.
I mean, really? Fat bitch? That’s the best insult she could come up with?
The truth is, I am overweight. I have been struggling with my weight for years.
I hate to tell you, Lady, but my being fat? It’s not news to me.
Did you think I would be shocked by your words? Upset? You probably did, because people who hurl insults tend to do it to hurt people — and make themselves feel superior.
I’m curious — did it work? Did you feel better? Did you go home and tell your family how you put “that fat bitch” in her place?
Years ago I would have been devastated by the exchange. But I know that this was all about her, not about me. I feel sorry for her that her life is so bad she has to yell at and insult people when she feels inconvenienced. That must be a terrible way to live.
For the record, I wasn’t shocked or upset, and I’m not hurt. Want to know why? Because finally, at 55 years old, I’m comfortable in my skin.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m not comfortable with being overweight. I am working on that and will continue to work on that for my health and my family.
But being fat doesn’t define who I am as a person, any more than my beautiful hazel eyes that are sometimes emerald green, or my glorious, long, curly hair does. All of those things describe my appearance, but again, they don’t tell you anything about who I am.
I know that I am much more than my appearance. I am smart, dedicated, hard-working, fun, well-read, and adventurous, to name a few things. And I’m ok with all of that. I like me. I believe that the person I am is more important than what I look like.
So, yes, dear Lady, you are correct. I am fat. And sometimes I can be a bitch. But I wasn’t to you, so your words were completely ineffective — except for giving me the best laugh I’d had in a while — and a good topic to write about — so thank you for that.
I wish you well. And I truly hope your life gets better.
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