When I was in the middle of sixth grade we moved. I went from being a social, fun, popular girl to a total loser in about 24 hours. The new school I attended wasn't very accepting of new students. I felt alone, out of place and in need of a friend.
I took Marissa to Chuck E Cheese for a birthday party last night. The party was for a girl in her class and of course I knew no one. I desperately wanted to leave, but Marissa begged me not to. I sat down with a bunch of moms. They said, "Hi" to me but quickly went back to their private conversations. I felt a lot like I did in sixth grade. I began to text Vince, "This is HORRIBLE! No one is talking to me. I'm trying to make conversation and people won't talk to me...ugh!" Vince replied, "Sorry! Do they all know each other?" I write, "Apparently. I feel like the new kid at school...the ugly new kid with body odor and braces!" My sweet, caring and sensitive husband replies, "Sorry. I'll buy you deodorant."
I decided that I couldn't take it anymore and went up to the counter to buy a drink. I strolled around for a while and finally walked back to the group of moms (I thought it would be weird if I sat on the other side of the restaurant by myself). This time I chose a different seat across from a woman who was sitting by herself.
It turns out that she lives in my neighborhood. Her son is in my daughter's class and she is going through a divorce. It was amazing how quickly she began telling me about her marriage. She recounted years of not communicating, boredom and finally an affair. They worked through the affair, but after a year he decided that he didn't want to be married to her anymore. They broke the news to their 7 year-old yesterday.
Looking back I'm so glad that my parents moved us to a new town. Yes, I was popular but I had some questionable friends and I wasn't exactly the type who wouldn't follow them into deviance. I eventually made some new friends and lost my "Ugly Betty" status.
In the same way I'm glad that I went to Chuck E Cheese. It totally sucked at the beginning, but I'm so glad that I stuck it out. Otherwise I never would have had the opportunity to minister to that woman.
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