Food was no longer something that nourished our bodies. It was a reward for mastering control of them. I’m a survivor — of fat camp. I know it sounds like I’m exaggerating. After all, how terrible could a weight-loss camp for girls be? Well, it was bad enough that I’m still dealing with its after-effects decades […]
As a fat person, the thought that I’m already taking up too much space and that it would be selfish to ask for more is always in the back of my mind. I’m in my water exercise class, and it feels amazing. I have enough room to fully extend, stretch, and flex. I’m swinging my […]
I’m fat, and the fear of getting fat is no longer viable. I grew up in a fatphobic household — one that was created by my mother’s fear of getting and staying fat. Her fatphobia, often directed at me, was then reinforced by my brother, and unconsciously supported by my father. My parents were extremely […]
Even if you love your kids more than your own life, you can wonder if it was all worth it. No matter how much you longed for a child, or what hoops you jumped through to get that child, there are some days where you may have a moment of regret. Some parents have much […]
There is such a thing as being too selfless. You’re the epitome of selfless. In fact, you’re constantly doing so much for others that you lose yourself in their problems. You want to be the best friend, child, sibling, and partner that anyone’s ever had. You put other’s needs before your own so often that you lose […]
Sexuality is fluid—and not just for women. When a woman kisses another woman in a bar, no one immediately labels her as gay. It’s simply thought of as “hot.” But if a straight guy kisses another guy in any way that could possibly be described as sexual, he’s thought of as gay or bi, or in total denial of […]
We’ve been together for over 14 years, and have never gotten married. We’re deeply committed to each other, but sometimes the belief in a relationship can be tested when you least expect it. Andy and I stay seated watching the names scroll down the screen. We left early once, missing the teaser scene at the […]
I opened the envelope, and pulled the letter out. It was at least six pages. I glanced over it and saw words like “disappointed,” “behavior,” “crappy,” and “finished.” The letter arrived today. Although I won’t mark it return to sender, neither will I read the whole thing in one sitting. I’ll take it in small […]
Sometimes your family is made out of people who aren’t related to you, and aren’t required to love you—they just choose to be there for you. “Whee,” says Cynthia as she whips her motorized shopping cart around the corner, and into the pasta aisle, nearly hitting a customer reaching out for an extra-large box of […]
