
Angie,
I wrote the letter below to a friend of mine, but I thought
you would also appreciate the story. It is, after all, you
who is helping me make the changes in my life that people
are noticing...that I am noticing.
So the story is just as much a "Thank You" to
you as it is to her. I truly appreciate your encouragement,
your enthusiasm, your friendship. Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When was it that we last went shopping together at Ontario
Mills? A year or more ago? It's been awhile. I haven't had
a desire to shop for clothes that would fit me or that I
felt comfortable in.
You picked out a skirt for me...pretty black with silky
and sheer layers, covered in pink and orange flowers. Do
you remember it? We ran all over the mall trying to find
the right top to go with it. Mostly what I remember was
everything in Forever 21 was made for toothpick
girls.
Well, I have never worn that skirt...
Until today.
I had put on too much weight. It was too snug and I didn't
like the way I felt in it...or the way I looked in it. Truthfully,
I didn't really like me.
But it fits again and I dared to wear it today. And I actually
felt good in it. Can I remember the last time I wore a skirt
just because? Me, who always wore them growing up?
This morning one coworker commented on it. "Very pretty
skirt," she said.
At lunch Allan's mother said I didn't look like the same
person. It wasn't so much that I was disappearing as I was
appearing. I understood
that. It made sense to me. And when I left the restaurant,
a stranger going in stopped me. "Your skirt is soo
pretty," she said. All I could do was smile and thank
her. Allan thought that was neat. He said,
"Wow...Joyce!" and grinned a lot.
And this evening, another coworker came in and asked if
I was continuing to lose weight. "How much?" and
"Wow. Because today I really noticed it." I gave
credit to the skirt.
I know inside it wasn't just the skirt that all those people
were noticing. It is nice to know that the changes I've
made in my life are beginning to make a difference, not
only in the way I look but also in the way I feel about
myself and carry myself. But the skirt caught their eyes,
really made them sit up and take notice, and that pays tribute
to the excellent taste of the person who picked it out.
I just wanted you to know, and I wanted to say thank you.
Joyce Crosthwaite