Monday, August 16, 2010

Conversation: The act of conversing BOTH ways.

(We’re getting the internet in our NEW HOME :) tomorrow. I’m looking forward to diving back into the blogging world! But I have one minute and I hijacked my husband’s work air card...I need to get this out of my brain before I fall asleep tonight.)

Today I met a new friend. Her name is Molly*. She has a boy on L’s soccer team. She talked my ear off for 30 minutes straight about her family, her extended family, her school situation, her work situation, her back to school shopping and upcoming birthdays and the like.

I probably gave her an understanding nod like 100 times.

I was there for her.

I let her talk until she ran out of breath...I’m pretty sure her lips were blue from constantly talking. Honestly, there was no oxygen inhaled during the entire length of the conversation.

But when I tried to tell her a little about me…a little teeny tiny tidbit about my life…a little information that included the words, JUVENILE DIABETES…well! I got a gasp, a look of disbelief/disgust and a “How awful.”

You know what she made me feel? She made me feel ashamed. I can’t explain it, but that was the emotion that came to the surface. I threw in a weak explanation…I know I used the word "auto-immune" and something about him having it since he was a baby…but she wouldn’t have any of it. She didn’t want to talk about it and I spent the rest of the practice nodding and validating her anger at the fact that her family wasn’t happy she brought her son with a fever to her mother’s 50th birthday party.

Poo.

Poo to you Molly.

I don’t want to be your friend anymore.

*Name changed because it's the right thing to do.

20 comments:

  1. You're more kind than I because I would have put her real name...SHAME ON HER...I am so disgusted with the lack of understanding with this disease. I am beyond frustrated and emotionally drained about it. I just wish that there was some way for people to really get it, but then again that would mean more people intimately getting to know others with diabetes. That would mean acknowledging that their issues aren't really that big in the grand scheme of things.
    Dreaming big folks, but really is it too much to ask for a little compassion.
    (((Hugs))) you're an incredible mom and inspiration to me. Poo poo to her!

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  2. People always ask me "what's the hardest thing about having D? What do you struggle most with?" and I have ALWAYS answered "dealing with other people's misconceptions and prejudice toward D" it always shocks ppl because they expect so many other answers but it's the truth.

    I am sorry this happened to you! Shame on "Molly"! do NOT feel embarrassed! you are like Super D-Mom and have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! All shame is on "Molly"!

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  3. First let me tell you it's good to have you back in the blogging world. And then let me just give you a great big cyber ((HUG)). I'm so sorry. Some people (those like Molly) I will never get.

    You are the rockinest (yes I made that word up) mom I know!

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  4. She is clearly one of those amphibian people who have hidden gills and can therefor not need to come up for air. She is to be pitied really.
    However, pity aside, I'd have like to have been there for you and done a nice big trip up right next to her and with a cream pie in my hand.
    You are amazing. We won't let you forget it either!!

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  5. Oh Poo on Molly. All of us are sending one big raspberry! Glad to have you back Meri - checks out some of the latest blogs - they are fab these days! And honey, no shame, no embarrassment. The shame lies with her.

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  6. DEAR MOLLY (whose name had to be changed b/c you were such a b*tch to my good friend Meri),

    I think the reason that you just DON'T GET IT (at all...in the least...just an inkling) is because your self-absorbed, limitless, non-stop, continual, neverending discussion about YOURSELF has caused your brain-cells to become hypoxic (this means starved of OXYGEN). The ability to LISTEN dear Molly is one of the greatest qualities a person can acquire. I am less than pleased that you hurt my friend Meri's feelings.

    POO TO YOU,

    Reyna
    (Meri's friend and fellow crazy-ass exogenous insulin dispensing machine)

    P.S. MERI I LOVE YOU. YOU ARE MY HERO.

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  7. P.P.S. Sorry for cursing on your blog. xoxo

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  8. Add my name to the bottom of Reyna's letter if you decide to send it! And I'll add my efforts behind Penny's raspberry!

    What an ignorant, narcissistic person this "Molly" must be! Meri, you are more awesome than words can express! Life's too short to waste that amount of time listening to someone's negativity about their own family! Next time, excuse yourself politely. If that doesn't work, walk away and leave her talking to herself!

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  9. Oh my boo and hiss to her . Obviously she thinks that her life is all about drama and no one else matters , wow i really dislike ppl like this and just avoid her at all costs . Im so sorry that she made you feel the way you did . Im so sorry and I hope you will have a much better day today . We love you and welcom back honey .

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  10. Molly, I realize that you think the entire world was created for the sole purpose of allowing you to go on and on and on about your pitiful life, but....POO ON YOU!

    NO MERI FOR YOU!
    (insert Soup Natzi clip here)

    I'll listen, my dear Meri. Nothing would please me more than to sit at the sidelines and listen to you chat for hours :)

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  11. The Molly's of the world SERIOUSLY irritate me. I was at a kiddie party this weekend that was full of Molly's. By the time we left I didn't know if I wanted to pull my hair out and scream until I was hoarse or sit right down and have a real good cry. Thankfully, I did neither. Thankfully my dear hubby talked me down and reminded me just how pathetic the Molly's are because they are going through their lives totally clueless.
    I love you dear, Meri!
    And Molly - (ALL the Molly's) - POO ON YOU!

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  12. Some people just don't realise how lucky they are. If only my biggest concern was the next birthday party. I would love to be able to chat freely and not even have to think or say Diabetes but it is unavoidable. Only this morning I had the conversation with someone 'I knew someone who died of diabetes' - do I really need to hear this? NO - please engage brain before opening mouth Molly's of this world!

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  13. You are so much nicer than me. I would have just walked off. Not that she HAD to listen to you, but when she blew you off and went on abour her life. Yeah. You know my motto. "Don't waste time on time wasters." Done, Dusted...Move on.

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  14. Molly's ignorance is infuriating. I know what you mean about feeling ashamed because I have been there myself. Don't be ashamed! Be extra proud of the amazing mother that you are and let all the Mollys of the world remain ignorant and self absorbed in their own little world.
    Yvette

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  15. Well, at least you learned what kind of person she was before you invested too much time into the friendship. ;)

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  16. Dear Meri,
    It is really her huge loss to not have gotten to know you. There are so many of us out here who would love the chance to meet you in person and be "real life" friends!! Luckily, not a moment more of your time will be wasted engaging with her.

    Today I was reminded of the good in people though when a new friend asked what she needed to do to make our son as happy and comfortable as could be, food wise, at their upcoming party. This will be a long haul friend and I am so grateful that they do exist!

    I am thankful to you, too, Meri for writing!

    Michelle

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  17. Really, the nerve of some people. It's a little insane. Be proud that you are a great mom are and don't let the "Molly's" of this world get you down. YOU ARE AWESOME!! :)

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  18. I really dislike the "MOLLY'S" of the world. POOOOOOOOOO AND :P~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to Mz. Molly Flaps-a-lot!

    You should tell her you found this post thats ALL ABOUT HER... maybe she would get the hint ;)

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  19. She's so vain.... she probably thinks this blog is about her... she's so vain!

    I just shake my head. I'm sorry you had that experience. People like that aren't worth getting our knickers in snit over. Cuz they won't ever change. Poo to her is right. Poo poo!

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  20. You some how bring this around and make me smile at the end.

    So sorry you had to go through that. You have nothing to be ashamed of, of course. I know you know that.

    Poo to Molly indeed. We can only hope she comes across this post and learns a little something.

    Poo poo.

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