I was sitting in a parking lot this morning waiting for a friend to run an errand when a car pulled up in the next space. The door opened slowly and the woman inside began her effort to get out of the car which included a lot of rocking back and forth as she moved her parts toward the door, the grasping of the frame above the door, and the grasping of the wheel. It took her quite a while to do all of that. When she finally got out, she adjusted her shirt and her pants. It was probably ten normal steps to the door of the shop, but it took her over twenty because every step looked painful. Her body swayed back and forth and I could almost hear her knees protesting under the burden. Her pants were caught up in her crack even afer her adjustment. There was no joy on this woman's face, and certainly no joy in her movement. I don't know what she purchased in the store as we left before she came back out but my bet is that it was some sort of junk food to get her through the next part of the day. Sugar laden soda? Salt laden chips? Sugar laden candy? Maybe all three.
I flipped down the visor mirror and checked my face - and there it was - joy. Not joy at her expense - but joy in that I don't sway when I walk anymore. Joy in that I don't have to worry about my pants getting caught in my crack anymore. Joy in knowing that I won't be making a stop for my binge food today.
That woman is my Before picture and I'm determined to get to my After picture.