Terrible Mall Experience...

The other day I was working at Sears. A large lady came to bring back and exchange two shirts that had been Christmas presents. They were size 24/26's. She wanted 26/28's or 28's. She came back up to the register and was red-faced and said they didn't seem to have any 28's. We started to do the return. She was going to be given a gift card, because it was without a receipt. She got upset and said she didn't want a gift card, because nothing in the store would fit her. I had to call a supervisor, to see if a different form of reiumbursement could be given. The one who came (although an extremely nice lady) was pencil thin. I knew the feeling the large lady would have, that she would not be understanding. Then it occured to me. I am just a few pounds from 'normal' myself, and in a size 10 now. She probably felt just as much like I couldn't understand. I wanted to say, "Hey I have been there, and know how much it sucks, how you're feeling right now." I honestly didn't know if I should say something or not. It was just such a strange realization that I'm almost "one of them" now. I have never been "one of them" since I was 3 years old. I mean, I have got mediums now that fit. I have never worn a medium in my adult life. I can see my clavicles standing out. That freaks me out. It's just such a weird experience to be having. I'm glad I'm seeing my psychologist tonight, and can talk to her about it, but I wanted to talk to my Indiana crew about it too.

I agree with the feeling there is still many times I catch my reflection in a window and wonder who is that. There was 36 inch mens pants at the clothing exchange and I didn't get them because "They won't fit" well the 38 I got are to big.  I can wear them but by April they will go back and hopefully some 36 show up. I just could not believe that 36 fit I wore 56 before the surgery... E

Linda, I know what you mean. I gave a little giggle the other day when I read what Linda Kay had wrote about me...that it was so small that is was hard to believe I once was big. I read that and thought ..'me?? Yes, I am the only Sherri on the board so she has to be talking about me'. I have a hard time remembering that I am 'normal' now...so yes, I'd have a hard time remembering that other people would view me as 'one of them' too. It definately makes me view 'skinny' people differently these days. You never know when 'one of them' had also been 352 lbs at one time. Sherri ps... I hope you're able to drop those last few pounds soon and be able to be 'normal' too! It is such a satisfying feeling..just as being 'obese' or 'overweight' was...except...since I was NEVER 'normal', 'normal' was WAY sweeter!

Linda I know that feeling. I had seen a very heavy young girl the other day whining that the store didn't carry anything cute in her size. WOW I remember those and still do. I just wanted to run up and hug her and tell her I know the feeling!!!

This past weekend I was out with a group of people and part of them didnt know me before that night. While we were there a few of the guys were making comments about a girl that was at the bar, she was heavy and I just wanted to punch them lol.  I kept telling them how thats not nice and to stop.  I felt bad for her, knowing how it feels to be big, even though I'm not now.  I did finally explain that I wasnt always smaller and that only 4 months ago, I wasn't far from her wieght.  I didnt explain everything else cuz I didnt feel like they needed to know. I finally got them to understand that I didnt care for their remarks.  It made me feel like if she heard them that she would think I would be thinking or saying the same thing, which would be far from the truth.  I even still have a hard time with going into the clothing store, I still go right to the plus size section, and then realize that I dont fit in that stuff any more, but when I go to the smaller sections i feel like people are thinking what is she doing in this section like the stuff wouldn't fit.  Its such a hard concept to grasp that we are getting smaller or already are smaller.