Sunday, March 4, 2012

On Being Tiny

I was born a tiny girl with GIANT eyes....
I was shy and tiny and insignificant in primary school - hiding in the bathroom to avoid others; teachers and my parents explaining on my behalf I was too shy or too little....
I was challenged with being too tiny to the point where my parents took me to the doctor because they thought I wasn't gaining weight - made to drink a horrible brown tonic to stimulate my appetite....
I was asked/told in high school - "wow are you ever tiny", "you eat like a bird", "do you ever eat anything", "I wish I could be as tiny as you"....
In university I was SO conscious of being tiny that I forfeited meals to stay "tiny" because I internalized "tiny" as my way of living life .....
In the workplace because I was "tiny" and had sense of humour; people discounted my work or I wasn't given opportunities because they thought I wasn't capable or ditzy....
And yes, I am now the "tiniest" member of my family (other than the cat) BUT I have found my voice ....
And now, I work with the "tiniest" people on this planet helping empower them and give them their voice - our Children ....