If we were to meet for coffee today…
I would order a double thick hot chocolate. Yes, I know I am on a healthy eating plan but today is a bad day. Today is one of those days that would involve comfort eating. I would also tell you that I am a bad comfort eater – I eat when I’m down or sad – definitely not a good thing.
If we met for coffee, I would tell you that I have spent my morning with tears running down my face and mascara smudged across my cheeks. It’s just one of those days. I thought a morning run on the promenade would help, it didn’t. I thought a hot bath with tea would help, it didn’t. I even thought a piece of my favourite Bubbly chocolate would help, it didn’t. Maybe a virtual coffee date would do the trick…
If we met for coffee, I would tell you that it is my sweet Nan’s birthday today. Unfortunately, she is celebrating in Heaven and she has been since 2006. My Nan is my maternal grandmother and the shortest, most petite and most gentle little lady. She was a real lady – she never swore, never shouted and would never do anything crude or disgusting. She basically raised me. She moved into a house close to my school so that I wouldn’t have to attend after care and instead, she would walk me home very day, do my homework with me, take me to extra activities, take me to the library, take me shopping, buy and make my favourite foods and do anything for me. She never complained, ever. She made the best dinners – her spaghetti bolognaise, her chops and mash, her toasted bacon and egg sandwiches, her scones and her crumpets were all so delicious. She had a disgusting maroon, velvet lounge suite (or settee she used to call it) and she loved to watch the soapies. She loved and adored me.
When she started to get old and frail, I decided to give back. I loved spending my free time with her during the week. I would visit her after varsity, take her shopping (make her sit on the bench and then get her groceries in a much speedier time!), I would make her food and force her to have her health shake when she didn’t want to. I would help her read the paper when her eyes got really bad and repeat myself endlessly when she couldn’t hear. I visited her in hospital in her last few days and covered her in aqueous cream to help her aching and dry body. My mom knocked on my door at 1am on the Wednesday evening that she passed away. It was also the day I ended a long term, destructive relationship. We both let go and moved on to our very own greener pastures.
I know she is celebrating her special day with my Pops (an extraordinary man too) and they are sitting in the sun, enjoying a scone and smiling down on us. They are happy that I am happy and they love and care for my hubs and girls from afar. They are always watching out for us, and one day we will meet again.
If we met for coffee, I would tell you that I am ashamed of my body. I was once skinny and toned and I took that figure for granted. I ate too much, drank too much and just didn’t care… Now I have got older and had two children and I have let it slip away. Pregnancy is an unpredictable process on your body and dieting is an unnatural and very difficult form of daily discipline. Each night, I go to bed with the motivation and determination to make the most of the next day – get up and exercise furiously and eat healthily, and be the best I can. And then I fail. Often. Am I always going to be fat and flabby? Am I obsessed with my bad self image?
If we met for coffee, I would tell you that it is my birthday next week. And there has been no countdown. All year. I would tell you that this is weird for me. Maybe I am growing up. Maybe I am not as selfish anymore, it’s not all about me. Maybe I am too busy pouring my energy into other things and other people. Maybe it is just for today. And tomorrow, I will be more excited about it. I would also tell you that I am hoping that the next few days are happier and filled with smiles rather than tears.
If we met for coffee, I would let you know that this is the most vulnerable I have been in a long time. I am putting it all out there. But somehow putting fingers to keyboard has been good for my soul, my heart and has dried away the tears.
Thank for you coming for coffee, I hope you are having a fabulous Thursday.
x
Isn't blogging just so wonderfully cathartic?
I'm not even sure what to say except that I feel you on each one of those points raised. I hope that the rest of the week and this weekend brings a lot more smiles your way!
Sending you so much love and a ton of virtual hugs today Cals! I know that on days such as these, there's not much that anyone can say to numb the pain, but just know that I'm keeping you in my prayers and thoughts.
I'm sure that your sweet Nan is looking down on you today with absolute love, adoration and pride over the wonderful mother and wife that you have become.
You may not have the body that you did 5 or 6 years ago – but just look at what it has done… Your body has created two beautiful, precious little girls. Those who truly matter are too blinded by your heart of gold to notice an extra little bit of flab.
You're beautiful, both inside and out, and I hope that tomorrow is a brighter, happier day for you xx
If we met for coffee I would tell you that you are doing a wonderful job raising your daughters and being a partner to your husband, I would tell you that your grandparents would be so proud of the life you are creating, I would tell you that the desire to fuel your body with good foods and keep it active is the best attitude you could possible have (for your future body and the body image your daughters grow up with).
If we met for coffee I would tell you that I love seeing how you take so much care to craft wonderful experiences for your friends and family, I would tell you that your blog and photos radiate with happiness and love.
But mostly I would tell you to not to be so hard on yourself… this being a grown-up business is tough, sometimes big cups of hot chocolate are not just nice but completely mandatory. I hope tomorrow is indeed better 🙂
It's ok to have a sad day. And it's ok to have an off day. Know that you are beautiful and special. Your body gave life to two amazing baby girls! Recognise that.
And I wouldn't be having a coffee with you today. I would have a glass of bubbles with you to celebrate life and the amazing days that still await you!
xxx
Big hugs from London 😉xx
Hi there!
I've never commented on your blog before, but I read frequently. I live in the states but I studied in SA for a semester and am thinking of it always 🙂 Anyway, I wanted to take the opportunity to comment because you seem like an amazing person and I wanted to encourage you with a blog post I read once about post-baby bodies: http://weseekjoy.blogspot.com/2013/12/babies-ruin-bodies.html?m=1.
God bless 🙂
Your Nan sounds like she was a lovely woman! Makes me think about my Mimi who is aging quickly and feeling it. I know your Nan is definitely looking down on you and is proud! Loved this post!