I had the opportunity this past weekend to spend some time with some "old friends" of mine. As you know, I went on a roadtrip to see a musician I have traveled to see for about 10 years now. We have gotten to be what I consider friends over that time. My best friend and I are the ones that normally go to see his shows. Another friend of ours came down from Idaho for this one also, and I hadn't seen her in about 3 years. She has been through a divorce from an abusive husband in that time. It saddened me so much to hear that, she is only in her late 20's. I am so blessed to have the family and friends that I do!
As we were sitting enjoying Eric's music, and being like schoolgirls again, I realized just how lucky I am! He truly made us see how much he appreciates us supporting him and his music. He has gone from playing bars to big arenas, and now back to bars again to try and build his career up again. It has truly been a rollercoaster ride watching him over the years. We all ended up talking, laughing and reflecting late into the night/early morning. It is so amazing to catch up with people you have known for a long time, whether it be in this case, or high school friends. I think those people that have known you awhile, and been through ups and downs with you, are the people that truly "get" you!
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| The view at Laguna Beach, (Main Beach) |
As we age, we do get wiser I truly believe. What may bother us in our 20's is nothing in our late 30's/early 40's. I have come to realize now that I am 41, that if people don't like you or can't appreciate you, they don't deserve to be in your life. And I came to a realization this weekend being down in the L.A. area at the beach with all the "pretty people". With all the skinny little beach bunnies around, I came to see what a truly phenomenal man Eric is. He had all these people to choose to flirt and socialize with and he chose us, older, FATTER women to hang with. Now, I have always been a big girl and was brought up to love myself, which I DO. But there are still people out there who aren't as mature and open-minded and choose to judge people just by their looks. I guess when I see the looks and stares from these people and get the snide comments as walk by to go the bathroom...lol...I just have to feel sorry for them. I am lucky to live in California and be raised to not be judgemental. I don't care if you are white, black or purple, skinny, fat, straight, homosexual, you are still a person with feelings and you deserve my smiling at you as we pass on the street and my "Hello".
With all the craziness in the world today, I think we all need to love more, laugh more, and above all else, don't let the ignorance and stupidity of the few spoil the greatness of the many!
Love to all and thanks for listening to the ramblings of my therapy post!
Heather,
ReplyDeleteI hear you about the beach body thing. I stressed out about this before my husband and I went to Aruba for our anniversary this year. I had just had our first child and carrying more weight than I really was comfortable with. But in hindsight, this is how I feel. Iv'e got a great husband who loves me just the way I am, skinny or with a little extra. I was just in Aruba for God's sakes, scuba diving, enjoying one of the most beautiful places on earth. Am I really going to get all in a tizzy over the fact that my body is not exactly "bikini material"? Heck no! The good times, the memories, and the foddor for conversation is what I am going to be grateful for. Certainly I was not in that crystal clear water, marveling at all of the beautiful fish, and at the same time wishing I was a few(mmmmm...maybe more than a few)pounds lighter. If looks are all that some people are hung up on, than forget it. And you know, I only saw a few "perfect" bodies out there on those beaches. People were there to LIVE LIFE and enjoy themselves, just like we were. Nobody cared about looks or weight. It was really refreshing to know the rest of the world doesn't necessarily operate the way we do in the States.