My new WOW (or FART)

Ok, as we all have, I've gotten the standard compliments on my loss, but was working at my wonderful Walmart cashier job yesterday and I'm checking someone out.  See the former secretary at the school where my wife taught get in line.  She sees the register next to me is open, so she goes there.  I turn around, and say, "So, you didn't want me to check you out?"  She blankly looks at me like you would a complete stranger, and matter of factly tells me that she wasn't really in a hurry, but the register was open.  Now, this lady was the secretary for 18 of the 20 years my wife taught there, so she has seen me a million times and talked to me that often during all those years.  I thought, well gez, what did I do to tick her off.  Thought for some reason, she was mad at Dessie or I.  Started to check someone else out, and could see out of the corner of my eye, her walking by with her cart.  She was staring at me, and was thinking, well take a picture honey!  Hadn't seen her since before I started all this process last year.  She backed up and I looked over and she said Michael (and called me by my last name)?  Told her yeah, and she said, "OMG, I didn't recognize you at all until I saw your name badge."   She kept going on and on about how different I looked and she couldn't believe it.  Said I didn't even sound the same.   Asked me how much weight I lost, etc, etc.   Another former teacher Dessie worked with called Dessie tonight and said she had run into the secretary today, and was telling her about seeing me and how shocked she was after she realized who I was.  It's unbelievable.  It gives you the drive to push forward.  I know, need a new pic.  Am holding out until our dear MARY FROM KANSAS posts a pic.  It's all about you, Mary.  Love you guys, Michael

You are NOT seriously waiting for me to post a picture, are you, Michael? Gee whiz, that's like dragging me to the virtual whippin' post, and handing the whip to each person on the OK forum. Now, don't you feel bad? ;) 
Here's the deal. I do not like to see pictures of myself, that's true. Another issue is that I'm seriously technologically inept, so even if I could take a picture of myself with a camera, I'd have no clue how to upload it or download it or whatever it's called.
Here's the compromise, which I hope you'll accept and then agree that you'll post a new picture very soon. How about if I attend the next Meet and Greet, if at all possible (will depend on the date, since I will have to depend on my husband to drive)? That way, you can see me in "all my glory." What say you? :)
Now, back to your WOW moment. I have to laugh at how I took what you said to this lady, because she may have thought the same thing, at first. When you said, "So, you didn't want me to check you out?" I immediately thought of when a guy looks at a woman to "check her out"! It's a good thing she eventually realized that she knew you, because, otherwise, you would have become a womanizer (Yes, another T.) in her mind. haha
With all that, I do love the fact that you've lost so much weight that someone who has seen you for so many years didn't even recognize you. Congratulations, my friend. Enjoy it, and keep up the good work. Get your smile on at WalMart! :)  Get your picture up here, today! :)
Blessings,
Mary

Yes, Missy Mary, I am waiting for you.  I don't like to see pics of myself either, so what's the point?   I can't make it to meet and greet unfortunately, so unless someone there takes a pic and posts it, (hint, hint someone),  I still will be clueless (about you, I mean, not in general, even though that applies normally).  Now if you can post your wonderful "storm" words in your avatar, which I think of often lately, you can post a pic.  Surely someone in Kansas can help you.  We love you, you are beautiful inside and out, so YOUR perception of yourself does not apply.  We see God's beauty and light shining from you.  I ask that you see the same glorious beauty our loving Lord sees in you.   I mean, gez, I get blasted when I knock myself, same applies to you!  Now, ball back in your court.  I love ya, Michael

Gee, Michael. I'm not knocking myself, just my lack of computer knowledge. One of my daughters put the quote on my avatar. She's the one with a camera, too, not me, so if it is to be, it's not really up to me. I've asked her, but I don't want to nag her about it. You know? Okay, all I can do is my best.
For all my OK friends reading this, DO NOT TAKE A PICTURE OF ME AND POST IT, without me okaying it first. Please? I'm not trying to be difficult. I have my reasons why this is so hard. I just can't share them.
Love to All,
Mary

Mary-it's ok to be phobic about having your picture posted-I used to be extremely phobic about having mine taken even.  Back a few years ago, I had a column and the photographer was just learning to set photos, and well, he stretched my already fat face, and it appeared that way weekly for some time.  He offered to change it, but we all (even me) thought it was so ironic that he stretched ME of all people, and we decided that was just what I needed to get over it.

 

The first time I put a picture of me up on a blog-I had a very rude reader post how ugly and overweight I was (and I had already lost quite a bit of weight) but I used that too-to face down my own internal conversations.

 

When you are ready, you will post a picture. 

Thank you, Debra. I hope you're right.
I KNEW you were a writer! Well, maybe not, but I quickly had the thought that you should be, if you weren't. :)

Michael, that is wonderful. For once in our lives it is great NOT to be recognized!

I have seen our wonderful friend Mary and she is beautiful! I have that picture of her when I read her posts. I am sure there has been a drastic change now and would love to see her again!  We will just pray she does begin to feel more free and will post a new picture. Till then just trust me...she is as pretty on the outside as the inside!!

Sherry

Ok, Mary.  I understand -- we all have stuff that is hard on us, and not able to share or explain to other people.  I respect that.  I am just, in fun, giving you a hard time.  You know how much respect I have for you.  You're the best.  I know everyone else respects you and wouldn't post something that you objected to.  I ABSOLUTELY hate pics of myself, but getting a little, wee bit, easier.  I will have to have one my kids take the pics for me too, so that is my hold up.  Be blessed, Michael

Thank you for understanding, Michael. I look forward to a new picture of you, just as you look forward to seeing a picture of me. Are you able to attend the support group at Weight Wise? Maybe my husband and I could go to a session, and we could meet there. That would be fun.
Blessings,
Mary

chanting:   picture! picture! picture! picture! picture!