I wasn’t really planning on doing a Thanksgiving themed blog entry, but I witnessed something today that changed my mind.

When I was leaving CVS with my purchase, I noticed a young guy (about mid 20s) standing by the exit with his hands on his hips and an awful look on his face. All of the sudden, he yells, “What the f*** are you doing?!” I look up to make sure he wasn’t talking to me. After realizing he was looking past me, I turned around. I saw a young girl (also around 25 years old) with a baby (about a year old) on her hip. She didn’t answer him. She just walked toward him as fast as she could. He said, “What the f*** are you doing? When I say stay in the car, you stay in the car!” I assume the guy was going in the store to get one thing, but the girl decided to go in after him because she thought of something she/they needed or wanted. I was completely and totally disgusted. I could tell the girl was embarrassed and hurt. Once they stepped outside the door, I heard him say, “You better f****** listen to me!” With a fearful look on her face, she muttered, “I don’t have to listen to you!” He said, “Shut the f*** up!” She said, “You shut up!” He said, “Get in the f****** car!” By this time, they were out of my sight. Unfortunately, I’m sure the girl got in the car. She probably feels she doesn’t have a choice. And even worse, this probably wasn’t an unusual thing for them.

I sat in my car for a few minutes, thinking about all I just saw and heard. I don’t know if hearing that guy speed away with his girlfriend/wife and baby in the car or the silence that surrounded me would’ve been worse. My heart ached for that girl and their little boy. Both of them are victims of abuse – verbal, mental, and possibly physical. I haven’t ever been one to close my eyes when I am exposed to such issues. I at least reflect on it. Of course, I hope the girl finds the strength to free her and her son of such misery. I also thought about how thankful I am to not be in such a situation. Ray and I disagree at times, just like everyone in any kind of relationship. But he and I have not ever and will not ever talk to each other in such a way. I know that for sure. This Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for…way too many things to list. But this particular occurrence today made me specifically think about the best friend and husband I have in Ray. He would not ever embarrass, belittle, disrespect, or hurt me or our child. For that, I am eternally grateful.

*I know the story above was heart wrenching. While reading it might leave you feeling sad, please let it motivate you to think about all you are thankful for Thanksgiving – or for everything you are blessed with today for that matter.

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Today is Friday! You know what that means! It’s time for a fun blog entry!

The other day, I went to our vet office. While there, I saw one of the receptionists I always talk to. She said, “Oh! You look so cute! How are you feeling?!” I said, “Good”. She said, “You are not that big, girl!” I said, “I am! Maybe you just can’t tell in these clothes!” She smiled and said, “Whatever. You look great!” I said, “Thanks!” She said, “How far along are you?” I said, “Almost 27 weeks. We have about 3 more months to go”. She said, “Oh really?! Wow! That’s when you and your boy are really gonna grow!” I smiled and said, “I know!” I don’t know if she said my tummy wasn’t that big because she thought I was further along or what! It didn’t bother me at all. I thought it was pretty funny! What people don’t realize is that I don’t always wear maternity shirts. Often, I wear maternity jeans with a big sweatshirt from my pre-pregnancy days. You can tell I’m pregnant, but you can’t get the full effect! :) If they were to see me in a maternity shirt or naked (god forbid), they would agree that I do have quite a sizable bulge!!! ;)

I actually left the vet office feeling complimented! I like our boy being larger rather than smaller. I think he is in great health and getting all the nourishment he needs.

My last stop before going home was Petsmart. It was a cool and extremely windy day. When I got out of my car to walk in the store, the wind blew me around! For a minute there, I wondered if I would be lifted into mid-air! I thought, “Ha! I’m not that big! I get blown around by the wind just like I did before I got pregnant!!!” :) Then after thinking back, I remembered that my 2,500+ lb car was getting blown around on the drive there!!!! ;)

~T.T.