Hi gals
Although I know that this may be old hat or even trivial for so many of you, I am bursting to share my day yesterday with you because only you could appreciate how joyful it was.
I have been out and about many times but yesterday I decided that I would forego the shame I've always felt about my hammer-toed toenails and get both a pedicure and a manicure. I trolled about for a nail place about 20 minutes from where I live and found a place that offered it at $20 for the 2. It was a fairly large beauty salon and nail place and I resolutely stepped in. I had to wait a short while and I gladly read a woman's fashion magazine in the interim. I was amazed to discover how complex a process a pedicure is and was grateful for all the pampering that I got. The Asian woman who did my nails never adversely commented on my somewhat disfigured toes and didn't seem at all dismayed by them. More importantly, she never even hinted that I may not be who I was trying so hard to seem like. After she finished my manicure and I was taken to the nail-drying station, another woman offered to give me a back massage while my nails dried. I was only too happy to accept. When she finished, I was overjoyed when she, in a typical Hispanic caring fashion, refrred to me as "Mommy". I felt so accepted and tingled all over. (BTW, afterwards, I was very happy to materially share that appreciation.)
The day continued with my shopping in several stores- including a beauty supply store and Avenue. But, when I was shopping in a cut-rate store, a woman approached me to compliment me on a necklace I was wearing. I was constantly referred to as "ma'am" or "miss" and couldn't get over it. I went grocery shopping and, when I inadvertently cut a line, I was late in responding to "Miss, the line starts here." If that woman only knew how happy she made me. Lastly, when I went into a pizza store and it was populated by the scourge of most CD'ers, teenage girls, I received not one comment or snicker.
Thank you for indulging me. I hope to encourage those of you who spent the better part of your life cowering in fear of discovery, as I did.
Much love,
Abby