Since 7th grade, I've seemed to have a bit too many encounters with agonizing cramps, fainting, passing out, or asthma attacks where I just have no breath. Sharp stomach pains, dizziness, being on the ground, and loud gaspings for breath are just too familiar to my life.... not to mention they're embarrassing. In 7th grade I passed out after a mile run called the "fun run" and was sent to the ER after I had horrible cramps. While playing field hockey in college, I had a number of episodes where I had asthma attacks or agonizing cramps AGAIN which led me to sound like I was in labor almost every time. One person commented to me once that it sounded like I was having sex.. which again is not the way to attract your future mate. And the week after I got engaged and about a few weeks after running the Marine Corp Marathon, I passed out, puked, and more after a 3 mile run outdoors. I was in bathroom stall in fact when I passed out on the floor. And let me tell you, there is not much more humbling that passing out in a public restroom stall. It's pretty disgusting. Last week I went to spin class and as people filed out of the studio, my stomach didn't feel right and my head was definitely losing all depth perception and feeling a little woozy...again. You can only guess what happened. (I'm waiting a few weeks before I return to class.)
I've always hoped that one day I can be that girl or woman that we all know, who is puttogether, stylish, sophisticated, eloquent, and proper in all she does. I try, trust me, but with my weird quirks, the passing out, and my frugality in buying second hand clothes... which sometimes I find holes in, I am still pretty far from ideal. I have my good moments but all in all, my slight "brush with death" every few years reminds me that the beauty of having breath, having health, and just being me is good enough.