So Sassy in That Amigo!

I went to the store today in search of a pillow. I wake up every morning feeling like I have whiplash. I feel like a walking zombie. So my Mom and I packed up and went to Sam's in search of a pillow. A good pillow. I realize there are better places to go for a good pillow. I had to start somewhere.  Word on the street is I am going to go through a dozen or more pillows before I find one worth a damn.

While at the store I almost ran into a woman on an Amigo. She startled me. When she whizzed around the corner and nearly ran into me, I looked at her and she said in a rather short tone "Excuse me!". I could feel hostility in her voice. I didn't give her any weird or judgmental looks, I didn't dwell on her. I simply said "Oh, sorry" and moved on. She was in defense mode before I could even launch an attack. She didn't know I wasn't judging her. She's been through this enough to be ready for anyone to judge her. She didn't know I have been where she was and may be there again. I wouldn't.

When I was pregnant for my son my kidneys flared up. I gained 80lbs of fluid. Funny how fluid looks like fat. Funny how people judge fat people. It was five days after a C-Section. I was so edematous I couldn't wear shoes. I needed clothes because I had been in a hospital for the last 7 weeks of my pregnancy and had none that fit me.  People didn't know this. They didn't care. I was the fat woman in an Amigo. They looked at me and judged me. Not knowing my story. It cut me to the core. I acted fine at the store and cried all the way home. I didn't want to be sick and I didn't want to not be able to walk through the store.

I now find myself unable to tolerate "fat woman in an Amigo" stories. I also can't stand "they don't need to park in a handicap spot" stories. There are a lot of invisible illnesses that require people to take advantage of handicap amenities.  To the people so quick to judge I ask: Do you know them and their condition? Did you need the spot/wheelchair/Amigo? Did it infringe on you in anyway? Is it any of your business? Why is it unless someone weighs 80lbs and is over 125 years old or has a cast up to their thigh do people feel the need to police others? I ask these questions knowing that people usually don't realize how harsh they can be. I've been that person long ago, before I knew what it was like to be the one in that scooter.

And to the sassy pants in the Amigo I say, go for it girl. I know why you did it.