I am angry because...

I usually don'****ch TV very often but I was at my sister's and she Tivoed Oprah. We watched about half of it and it was on childhood obesity.

I had a box of tissues and cried and cried. I felt so much for those kids... AND for those parents, who felt so hopeless.

I could see so much of myself in them. I hated being made fun of, not fitting comfortably into school desks, etc.

It brought me back to the extreme sadness I felt. It was a mixture of being fat, social/family problems and being hormonal during the teen years that made everything seem so hopeless.

The best part of the OPRAH show was when the kids got to stand up and say "I am angry because..."

I still have some anger, but the difference between adults and kids, I think, is that kids can't always see the blessings hidden within the struggles.

I am angry that I have PCOS, but blessed because it forces me to eat very healthy.

I am angry that my best friend died, but blessed that she has changed my outlook on life.

I am angry that my parents don't get along, but blessed that they have been a great example of how NOT to act in a relationship.

I am angry that I hit above 300lbs, but blessed that I can be empathetic to others in this struggle and that I met all of you wonderful people.

What are/were you angry about, but perhaps see as a blessing now?

Elena:

I am going to change one of your words because it better reflects how I feel currently...

- I was angry because I had a different temperment and vastly different dimensions than other boys.  I feel blessed now, though, because I have found fulfillment in being able to use my overdose of empathy to recognize and acknowledge when people are hurting...often that is all someone needs, a little understanding, to help themselves feel better.  Being larger has also help me to see people for who they are, not just their outward dimensions, because that is what I wanted from other people. 

- I was angry because I occasionally had to demonstrate my physical strength to get people to leave me alone.  One example is that when I was about 12 or 13, another, older kid picked a fight with me.  I picked him up over my head and was about to slam him on the ground when I thought better of doing so, set him down and walked away.  People didn't tease me much after that.  Of course it is a blessing to have physical strength.

- I was angry at myself for not doing a better job of sticking up for other overweight kids.  There was a girl in our neighborhood that the other kids called "Earthquake".  I never did anything to help her back then.  That regret is also a blessing because I learned from my lack of character and have strived to be a better person as a result.

RP 

You are right RP... I think it is more WAS than IS now.

I am angry because.......

Nic has to deal with cancer....he is tired of it...12 years is too long!!

Kyleigh is suffering with anxiety and depression and hasn't been able to cope lately.

I am angry that my daughters have had to deal with all of the above!!

I am angry for all the child abuse/spousal abuse I have suffered with all my life.

I think I should quit for now......

Hugs....connie d

I was (and sometimes still are angry) because:

My mother died young and left a young girl alone

my dad was, well not much comfort,  an angry, depressed and complusive gambler who couldn't take the pressure of working and played poker and went to the track his entire life.

I am grateful and this has taught me to value your true friends as you can pick those, but you can't pick family.

You truly do know the value of a good friend after having not-quite-there parents... either one or the other.

Thanks for sharing Connie, truly. I can only imagine the anger you must feel. We are here for you always!

My head is spinning at this one..

I'm angry because my son as Angelman Syndrome which is so rare there is not much of a road map to follow. There is no cure! Blessed beyond measure that I have this precious boy in my life and amazed by his spirit.

Angry that I have to fight constantly to get my son the care and opportunites he deserves that most normal people take for granted.

Angry that my son can not speak and I do not get to hear the words "I Love You Mommy" but, grateful for each and every hug, kiss and smile he gives to me.

These things make me the most angry. However, I do not the angry control my life. I'm very blessed with my family and do not take a moment for granted. We may have more challenges than others but we have sure learned a ton through our journey which has only made us stronger. Wouldn't trade our Angel boy for nothing!!!

What I've realized in life is that God never gives you anything you can't handle.. and those of us who have to deal with some really hard things... just shows that we are very very strong individuals... and God knows it without a doubt.

I am angry that I have to deal with the emotional damage my monster-in-law inflicted on my husband when he was growing up, but thankful that he has fought to be a better person than she has ever been. 

I have been angry that I am, biologically speaking, a crap shoot (Adoptahoovian), but thankful that I'm able to be blissfully ignorant of the potentially bad stuff that my biological parents could have brought to my life - mentally or medically. 

I was angry for all the CRAP I endured from people who judged me negatively based on my body size, without getting to know the person inside the fat - but THANKFUL that such experience taught me to recognize, nurture and VALUE true, sincere friendship!