Thanks To My Fellow OHers (a little long)
It has been a year since I first found OH and I would like to take a moment to thank all of my WLS friends for your support and encouragement. Each of you, in your own way, has helped me along the way to be stronger in both body and spirit so that I can be, well, me….someone I am beginning to like and respect for the first time in my life. Part of that process has been to finally accept and not be ashamed of the fact that I am more emotionally sensitive than the vast majority of men and probably a lot of women, too. There, I have finally admitted it publicly. You have no idea what a relief that is to admit to myself and to all of you.
This past week has been very difficult emotionally. No more or no less so than what other people experience over the course of their lives, I suppose, but nevertheless truly difficult. Among the things that have been weighing heavily on my mind is that my mother-in-law, who lives with us, had a stroke a few weeks ago and has decided that her time has come. My house has been a parade of family and friends coming to say goodbye to her and leaving tons of comfort food for all to share. In the past I would have tried to numb this anxious, raw feeling in my gut by eating and eating and eating, which only worked to make me fatter. To my surprise, I have had to remind myself to eat this week and, when I do, I don’t want any of that crap. This experience has been no small victory for me personally, particularly in the face of an upsetting set of cir****tances in my life.
Collectively, you have made me stronger and more able to cope with my emotions rather than just feeding them, especially during trying times like these. Some of you have helped me more than others, of course, but all of you who have been on OH over the course of this past year have helped me in some way. I sincerely thank you for that.
RP
You are good people. You have given back PLENTY with your thoughtfulness, your humor, your intellect... I'm sure many people here have read things you've shared and thought - 'Good Lord, he took the words right out of my head - when I couldn't put words to what I was thinking or feeling!'
I'm sorry for all the stresses you've been facing, but SO VERY HAPPY that you haven't turned to your pie hole for comfort - that would have done nothing but add more stress.
Hugs to you and your family, this is definitely NOT a fun thing to face...
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
~ SANDY ~ 5'9" HW 291/SW 274/GW 174/CW 155
Starting BMI 40.4 Extremly Obese ~ Current BMI 22.8 Normal
