Thankful

- Three weeks left in the semester.
- 5 days of vacation coming up.
- Sister Wives on Netflix.
- Pumpkin pancakes.
- Perfect timing.

The Non-Conformist

I stood in my black bohemian skirt; long and flowy, pulled tight to my waste so it wouldn’t drag on the ground. The black long-sleeved shirt I paired it with felt comfortable on my curves and set the back drop for my handmade multicolor scarf.

“I wouldn’t say frumpy… more like tattered.”

“Tattered?” I asked

“Yeah, but not tattered like homeless. Tattered like, like homely.”

“Tattered like, I don’t have any style?” I dug some more.

“Yeah.” She nodded with a grin.

I paused with my mouth wide open looking toward the ceiling of the massive museum. I can take it. I had asked. I really wanted to know what type of image people were getting of me. The two friends, of whose opinions I had just asked, stood tall on either side of me, one in patent leather pumps and the other slumming it in a pair of designer flats.

The curls in their hair made me wish I had done something to the horsetail slung over my shoulder in a haphazard braid. I need a trim, I know. A deep conditioning treatment would do anything but hurt and I understand that. I lower my head and rationalize the blows just before the next round started.

I was then told that I should continue wearing lip gloss and that some mascara would do me good. Apparently my cheeks are not rosy enough and I should apply a little rouge. I was always told I didn’t need make up; I guess there was an expiration date on that compliment.

How did I come to be homely? I give my roommate advice on style all the time… she must look terrible.

I took the honest words with a grain of salt. I let them jog around in my thoughts until the morning. I made plans to jog my body around and maybe fit into some of my cuter clothes that had been set aside for the season. This morning we began our discussion in Sunday school on conformity. I found a place to let the thoughts and words roam. As we went around the table collecting the experiences from the other adults at the table, I discovered I wasn’t the only one having issues with personal appearance.

Earlier this evening the urge to shop compelled me to hit up the nearest retail establishment on the way home from dinner. I bought a pair of trousers and was about to buy a pair of shoes when I had to stop and think of who I was buying them for. Comparing myself to everyone in the room and making plans to please anyone other than the person I am would be against my non-conformist lifestyle.

All of this considered, I will go get my hair trimmed and conditioned. I’ll keep my lip gloss close and jog those laps, though the mascara and the rouge will have to wait.

I left those shoes there, just to make sure, but if they are still there tomorrow I’ll know they were meant to be mine.  

Ha!

So that blog I wrote last week, I had a great time and talked a lot of trash about commitment... THEN I forgot to write this Sunday. Ha! My bad. Setting an alarm as we speak.

I watched a very nice and capable man win the office of Roanoke City Sheriff tonight, s/o to Tim Allen for winning the race, I am really excited for him. To see someone plug away at something for so long and have things come out in their favor really boosts my excitement for things to come. Stay tuned...