Put Her in Her Place…
Even though I was overweight in school the whole way through, I can honestly say I was not treated with malice or unkindly.
But there was this one.
Her name was Maggie.
And as a young girl, I was afraid of her.
She was mean. Not just to me, but to everyone.
She was the bully.
She was one of the few who would sting me with her comments. Some still linger to this day. I hold one she said to me in sixth grade.
But last May marked twenty years since I graduated, and the same since I have seen her.
She did not come to our reunions.
I didn’t give it much thought other than wonder had she just outgrown us, moving on to bigger and better things?
She seemed destined for the good life. I had no doubt she was somewhere far away, thin, and fabulous.
And I always imagined what it would be like to be able to put her in her place.
I hadn’t thought about her in years until Saturday when I walked into the gym and a sad, overweight woman caught my eye. For an instant I thought it was her.
It was leg day, so I paid little attention and went to work. I had a grueling workout in mind.
But I could not help but notice the mystery woman struggling on every single machine. She was obviously new to this.
I do offer help at the gym, but only when I am asked. I have learned through the years that you can do more harm than good by approaching the wrong person at the wrong time.
But she was struggling so.
And the machine wasn’t set to her small height.
And, OK, she was on it backwards and looking like she would cry at any minute.
So I approached her with a smile and said, “Can I show you how this works?”
And my breath caught as she gave an embarrassed nod.
This WAS my classmate.
I tried to keep my head turned as I adjusted the machine so she would not get a good view of my face. I am not the same person I once was, so I am not easily recognized. And there was no need to confront her.
But when I smiled and said, “It’s OK, hun. You’ll get there.” I saw the spark of recognition ignite the flame of embarrassment.
I feigned unrecognition and went back to my workout.
She wanted to cry. I could see it.
As she got ready to leave the gym, I remembered wanting to put her in her place so many years ago, and I said, “Hun. It gets easier every time. Don’t give up on it, and it won’t give up on you.”
A tear slid down her cheek as the door closed, and as soon as she was out of sight I shed one too.
Who knew that one day the place I would put her in was right next to me? There is room for everyone at the gym. Even people from your past.
Besides, getting fit out the outside would mean nothing if I let it rot away the inside.
March 30, 2009 at 4:53 am
kudos on being the bigger person Adina. time does heal the wounds and some people end up not where they originally were years ago. I’m headed to a reunion myself next year….we’ll see how this young veteran is received.