tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post613230415484281594..comments2023-08-09T08:42:17.192-07:00Comments on A Walk in My Shoes: Definitely... Not the SwanDarlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06081653211179263967noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-88740244553298783552007-02-26T09:03:00.000-08:002007-02-26T09:03:00.000-08:00oh hon ... during the time i spent in nicu and the...oh hon ... during the time i spent in nicu and then the months that followed filled with grief, the pounds kept piling up ~ i think that it was comforting somehow hiding myself and it is only now that i am feeling ready to find myself again ~ am so sorry that your feelings were hurt, you are beautiful regardless of any weight gain.<BR/><BR/>warm hugs sweetie!daisieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06471659782256693603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-81935467558384591632007-02-23T15:52:00.000-08:002007-02-23T15:52:00.000-08:00I've never understood why people seem to think it ...I've never understood why people seem to think it is OK to comment on someone else's weight gain. It's not as though the person who has gained the weight hasn't NOTICE. I'm so sorry. You don't need personal critiques when you are dealing with your own illnesses and Mark's recovery. (((HUGS))), a big one, but gently given, AnnieAnnie Jeffrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-23489281016489407942007-02-21T04:24:00.000-08:002007-02-21T04:24:00.000-08:00Grrrr. I hate when people say it out loud. You a...Grrrr. I hate when people say it out loud. You are such a strong and fabulous woman, honey, so please remember that, blurt outs notwithstanding. I'm so pleased that Mark's doing so well!<BR/><BR/>CxxClairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15681193035888306703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-71933592213313068052007-02-20T22:18:00.000-08:002007-02-20T22:18:00.000-08:00Amazing how negative body self-image can sap emoti...Amazing how negative body self-image can sap emotional strength.gerry rosserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06095232815291651669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-14950580255423328382007-02-20T21:00:00.000-08:002007-02-20T21:00:00.000-08:00The kind of beauty-really the only kind that SHOUL...The kind of beauty-really the only kind that SHOULD matter if this world was truly right side up- is the beauty our hearts contain through the acts of love we choose to generate, and YOU, Darlene, should be getting an award for how honestly and openly and bravely you have been as a mom, nursing your son back to life in so many ways all the while struggling with your own health challenges. What kind of a world do we live in that measures beauty by the width of our waist and stomachs??? Don't do that to yourself Darlene! <BR/>And as for frappachinos, they are SO delicious and actually, being on Weight Watchers right now, I learned that a coffee blended one without the whipped cream is only 4 points so really its not so decadent! Its got like 4g of fat, 230 calories or something like that- ask them to make you a maple coffee blended one next time-its the best but not on their list. And Happy Birthday to your son. Oh Darlene, I am SO happy he has come so far.Alex Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02109059018269508607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-51692390900662496482007-02-20T19:57:00.000-08:002007-02-20T19:57:00.000-08:00no matter what is said of you, GOD never thinks an...no matter what is said of you, GOD never thinks any less of His creation. Thinking that, always makes ME <I>feel</I> better, but not only that, knowing that makes <B>it</B> better.<BR/><BR/>love and hugs to you!Diandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04241556775221558049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-49003129916131487722007-02-20T10:36:00.000-08:002007-02-20T10:36:00.000-08:00Being a fat girl, I know just how it hurts to have...Being a fat girl, I know just how it hurts to have people make comments about my weight/appearance. Please don't take it to heart, and I know that's hard. But you'll be better for it. Hang in there, sweetie.<BR/><BR/>Happy Birthday, Mark!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-81863352247830245322007-02-20T02:44:00.000-08:002007-02-20T02:44:00.000-08:00Darlene,"Fat" is a completely relative statement.....Darlene,<BR/>"Fat" is a completely relative statement....not to you but to the person who made the observance. VERY hard to ignore when you are in such a vulnerable positon emotionally and physically. I have been there - words said by my beloved mother to my husband at the time - while I was in earshot. Finally after many years, I have come to understand that my weight has nothing to do with me as a person. <BR/>Happy happy birthday to Mark and congratulations to you, too. You have accomplished a major miracle.<BR/>I hope you can be easy on your beautiful self and focus on just doing the best you can each day.<BR/>Ease, peace of mind and energy to you.<BR/>Cape Cod KittyMsGrayseahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09904170938207154612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-44085926702114541722007-02-19T18:56:00.000-08:002007-02-19T18:56:00.000-08:00Up and down. Our weight is like our life. Up and...Up and down. Our weight is like our life. Up and down.<BR/>You genetically are so blessed, beautiful both inside and out.<BR/>This will right itself eventually.<BR/>You have so much to deal with.<BR/>I wish you well, and hope you feel better soon.Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08845512494417503198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-62939548919222327692007-02-19T18:40:00.000-08:002007-02-19T18:40:00.000-08:00Happy Birthday to Mark! How wonderful that he is h...Happy Birthday to Mark! How wonderful that he is here and happy to have it! :)<BR/><BR/>As for the other, that sucks that you felt hurt like that. I am sure you look just fine, but I know how it feels to not feel like you look fine. And I get how food was not a comfort, and then kind of became one. I did this right after I had Wyatt! But I did not put on a little old ten pounds, sister! I wish...Try 30. Ugg. <BR/><BR/>Cheer up! I know you are still beautiful. Because that shines from within you.<BR/><BR/>:)Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04680903854519503303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-6578837595763658582007-02-19T16:08:00.000-08:002007-02-19T16:08:00.000-08:00Oh :( Isn't that always the worst? When I starte...Oh :( <BR/><BR/>Isn't that always the worst? When I started my job last year I was asked no less than 20 times if I was pregnant, or when I was due... Whaaa???? Nope, sorry not pregnant, not even close, thanks for asking. I would laugh it off and change the subject.... urg, sometimes people say things without thinking.<BR/><BR/>I am sorry someone said anything to you.... I also have gained 10 lbs.... due to my horrid dependancy on Dr. Pepper... its either that or anti-psychotics... so I will have to make some kind of a change too... but diet??? no maam... :)<BR/><BR/>xoxo<BR/>GeorgiaGeorgiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256454157260115672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-51273005704849326642007-02-19T14:32:00.000-08:002007-02-19T14:32:00.000-08:00Oh my goodness........I am so sorry for the rudene...Oh my goodness........I am so sorry for the rudeness that was shown to you. I have always looked at your photos and thought that you are such a natural beauty. 10 lbs isn't going to change that. 100lbs isn't going to change that. Your body has and is going through SO much. If it needs 10 extra pounds to keep pushing your forward, so be it. Embrace it. I used to be small, but of course I thought I was fat. Then a thyroid disease and parathyroid disease decided to move in. 50 lbs later, one surgery later........I was skinny and I missed it. I would LOVE to be that fat again. I still teach fitness classes and have become one of the most popular instructors due to my life trials. So, please honor your body for what it's doing for you. You are a beautiful amazing person. The person who said those horrible words were only speaking their own fear.......and what do you suppose their intentions were? It's not like your life has been a walk in the park lately.<BR/>Take care and enjoy those amazing cheek bones. :)Kim -today's creative bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09001213765646946143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-28122724785158796202007-02-19T12:17:00.000-08:002007-02-19T12:17:00.000-08:00Hey you, you gorgeous twin soul of mine...it's a T...Hey you, you gorgeous twin soul of mine...it's a Taurean trait, y'know, putting on weight! ;) I was so used to being the same weight forever (apart from a blip to have my son), that now, here in middle age, it has come as a real shock to feel so heavy & overweight, carrying some 20+ pounds more than I was used to for a couple of decades...I walk every day, hardly eat enough to keep myself going, but there it is and there I am! In all my podgy glory! :D<BR/><BR/>Celebrate your Buddha Belly (if you have one) my love, and celebrate that wonderful, miraculous birthday tomorrow!! <BR/><BR/>Yay, Mark! Congratulations Big Guy, and Many Many Happy Returns of the Day!! Tell your Mum how gorgeous she is and give her a huge hug from me! ;)<BR/><BR/>Love to you all on this Joyous occasion. With you in Spirit ~*~ Suze xXxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-56460624245530421822007-02-19T11:35:00.000-08:002007-02-19T11:35:00.000-08:00Happy, happy birthday to Mark. So glad he's alive ...Happy, happy birthday to Mark. So glad he's alive to celebrate.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06862496090402365429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-80308155625137932422007-02-19T10:50:00.000-08:002007-02-19T10:50:00.000-08:00darlene,you are one of the most beautiful women i'...darlene,<BR/><BR/>you are one of the most beautiful women i've ever seen. i'm sorry that you were so hurt by someone's careless remarks...and that it may cause you to feel guilty about something that's giving you comfort in times like these. i'm sending you a big hug.<BR/><BR/>send mark a very happy birthday wish...beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03515424386033586219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-23977657603238932592007-02-19T10:17:00.000-08:002007-02-19T10:17:00.000-08:00Oh Darlene, I'm so sorry someone's blunt comment h...Oh Darlene, I'm so sorry someone's blunt comment hurt you so much. I will never understand how people can be so rude and thoughtless. You are beautiful, inside and out and I hope that soon you'll feel like that again. Hugs!<BR/><BR/>And Happy, Happy Birthday to Mark!<BR/><BR/>xoxoluziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08022932534962118811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-13766125946625688652007-02-19T09:37:00.000-08:002007-02-19T09:37:00.000-08:00After all the trauma you have experienced in the p...After all the trauma you have experienced in the past few months I'm amazed that the worst you have to struggle with is the 10 pounds! You have gone through so much - if anyone ever deserved to have a bit of comfort from some sweet frozen drinks it's you! Weight gain is not the end of the world - remember when you were pregnant? Each pound was a validation that you were doing an important job - growing a life inside you. Take these 10 pounds as a validation - you have been VITAL and CRUCIAL and played a significant role in the "re-birth" of your son. Consider it "baby weight" (only 25 years late)!Kim G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02580039996408082406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-52499704933187967342007-02-19T09:32:00.001-08:002007-02-19T09:32:00.001-08:00(((Darlene))))You have the support and love of eve...(((Darlene))))<BR/><BR/>You have the support and love of everyone here. We come to hear about Mark, that is true, but we also come here to praise you. You are so hard on yourself, too hard in fact. We need to make changes in our lives, and we resist bitterly. <BR/><BR/>Crowds drain me as well and parties are painful for me in all ways.<BR/><BR/>Happy birthday Mark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-79866204096976145472007-02-19T09:32:00.000-08:002007-02-19T09:32:00.000-08:00A big happy birthday wish to Mark..And Darlene...h...A big happy birthday wish to Mark..<BR/><BR/>And Darlene...heck with what you have been through...so what if you have gained a little weight. You've still got that beautiful smile and the weight will come off when you are feeling energetic and back to your more normal routine, I would think. And people who make comments like that...well, I guess its' just ignorance or something...Not stopping to think how their words hurt..<BR/><BR/>Take care and KNOW this too shall pass...<BR/><BR/>love, dd/sandyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-45777753192908504062007-02-19T09:10:00.000-08:002007-02-19T09:10:00.000-08:00First, please tell Mark that we are so excited he ...First, please tell Mark that we are so excited he is celebrating his 25th birthday. Birthdays always make me think of the mom, too. The woman whose body was the portal through which this miracle arrived in our physical world. So birthday blessings on YOU, mom.<BR/><BR/>As for the weight, I'm so sorry for your hurt. I get it. It hurts to hear and people just don't think before they say the most rediculous things. My beautiful mom (who has never really given in to vanity) answered the phone the other day and apologized for her lisp - she was wearing Crest white strips. This is because her shoot-from-the-hip aunt made the comment "Do you know they make things that whiten your teeth now?" when my mom visited her in the nursing home. She also asked my mom if she knew there was cream for her wrinkly neck. My mom said she had laughed off the comments but obviously she hadn't.<BR/><BR/>Making changes is hard. Especially when you have other things already loading up your plate and when you feel like crap. I'll pray that you have the strength to tackle what you want. And that God give you a healthy do-able vision of what to change.<BR/><BR/>Love you...LynetteLEstes65https://www.blogger.com/profile/15963146455105319876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-57594421275932504662007-02-19T08:28:00.000-08:002007-02-19T08:28:00.000-08:00Happy Birthday Mark!!!! What a wonderful thing to...Happy Birthday Mark!!!! What a wonderful thing to celebrate!<BR/><BR/>(((((Darlene)))))) go easy on yourself. ITA with jemima - sometimes the body knows what it needs. As someone who has struggled with weight related self-imagine issues all my life, I know how you feel. For me it's 30 pounds right now, but even with those gone, I still manage to beat myself up. We could all learn to treat ourselves with more love. xxoohepmomto3https://www.blogger.com/profile/08838816011626406861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-67271384023259852042007-02-19T08:20:00.000-08:002007-02-19T08:20:00.000-08:00the one thought that went through my head when i r...the one thought that went through my head when i read this was.... that this does not need to be your concern right now... I am all for being healthy and feeling good, but I put more importance in the later. this isn't true all the time... but sometimes... you just don't need to worry about right now... feel good and do what makes you feel good. i think you need that more right now than another things to worry about... sending much love and many warm and happy thoughts....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-17167951079463792092007-02-19T07:58:00.000-08:002007-02-19T07:58:00.000-08:00Oh, and Happy Birthday to Mark!Oh, and Happy Birthday to Mark!Michelle O'Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03221354521123541601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-77575128066361836112007-02-19T07:57:00.000-08:002007-02-19T07:57:00.000-08:00Tell that inner critic to shut the hell up. (Tell ...Tell that inner critic to shut the hell up. (Tell that out loud critic to shut the F up).<BR/><BR/>You have been through hell lately and you have handled it with unimaginable grace. <BR/><BR/>A little self medicating with frappachinos is totally in order. <BR/><BR/>You are BEAUTIFUL! Be gentle with yourself.Michelle O'Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03221354521123541601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30610711.post-38106015378457907702007-02-19T06:15:00.000-08:002007-02-19T06:15:00.000-08:00Happy Birthday, Mark. May you have many more, and...Happy Birthday, Mark. May you have many more, and may they be less stressful than this one.<BR/><BR/>Darlene, adding 10 pounds doesn't necessarily make you fat. However, since you feel that way, I can only wish you the energy to make the changes you feel are appropriate for you.<BR/><BR/>One of these days I'm going to put our rather expensive treadmill to good use. Being a dust catcher doesn't seem enough for it to do. Perhaps tomorrow.Jack K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10619303846748379807noreply@blogger.com