Where’s my angel in disguise?
I will always be able to laugh about my travel experiences, eventually. My Aunt Denise is right, without being able to laugh (or semi-laugh in my case) I would blow a gasket! I do think, however I’ve been reading too many “Chicken Soup for the XX Soul” books. There are so many stories of women who are down, vulnerable, feeling like they can’t do this and at just that time there is always some random person, an “angel” who gives them the encouragement that life is good, they are a great Mom, and then they feel like Superwoman. There is this inspiring moment, this second of enlightenment and always an epiphany about how fabulous and powerful we as women are.
Here’s my question.
Where is my angel?
As I have been sitting, standing, walking around with my full porn star boobs and no private place to pump. I ask myself where she is. As I’m sitting in these public restrooms, as covered as possible but let’s face it, pretty darn exposed I keep wondering why these ladies are giving me strange looks or avoiding me like the plague. I realize that it may be very uncomfortable for some. But surely there is ONE woman who is a Mama, who has experienced something similar, who realizes the difficulties of traveling as a new Mom. Where is she? Maybe she’s there but doesn’t have the courage to encourage.
More than anything this trip I’ve been inspired. I need to reach out to people more. When I walk by someone and they need a kind word, if they look confused, or heck let’s admit it, if she has fabulous shoes, I need to take the two seconds to let her know! We get so silo’d in our own problems that we become blind to those around us. How much more effort does it take to tell someone that they’re doing a great job? Would it kill us to see someone who looks lost and ask if we can help? It really wouldn’t take too much more effort to help someone pick up the loose change that just fell out all over the floor.
I need to slow down and recognize that there is plenty of opportunity to be an encouragement to random strangers. Who knows? It may be just what they need that day.
You are so right. I often feel very alone and vulnerable since I had children. Especially in public, surrounded by people! I will glance up from a trying moment with my child, see another mom, hope for a smile or recognition that yeah, it’s rough, and get nothing.
The other day we were coming out of a restaurant. I had one baby in my arm. My husband had the other baby. I also had the older child’s hand in mine. A lady on the other side of the door saw us, sighed, then opened the door for us. We thanked her, but she didn’t say a word. She looked completely put upon that she HAD to open the door for us. You would think another woman would understand that. With or without kids. Some kind of woman to woman sympathy. Nope.
That makes me sad. One smile can have such a big impact but it seems to be the most difficult thing for some people. OK, now I’m even more inspired to make a connection with others, even if it’s just for a split-second!
Im sorry no one has been there to be your angel during this trip. I am AMAZED at your ability to smile throughout it!
Its sad to see people getting LESS and LESS understanding of others.
So true, so true. What a great post.
But as an aside, I heard that you have to choose between an angel and porn star boobs – you can’t have both at the same time. That may have been the problem?
Maybe because your angel didn’t appear, you were so many other’s Angel in Disguise?!
It’s sad to say, but it seems sometimes that no one is more critical of mothers than other women. But who knows? I’d like to think that maybe one woman saw your dedication to pumping even in an uncomfortable situation, and was inspired to breastfeed. I agree, maybe YOU were the angel!
Good post women.