Perhaps these particular type of indignities are increasing in frequency because it’s summertime and I’m wearing less, which, floppy, fish-white Formerly body be damned, I intend to continue to do. This morning’s pre-coffee atrocity:
Sasha: “Mommy, I think I see a worm on your leg.”
Me: “It’s probably just a thread from my shorts.”
Sasha: “No, it’s under your skin.”
Me (sighing): “That means it’s a vein.”
Sasha: “But why is it bumpy?”
Me (giving Sasha the are we really having this conversation? look): “Are we really having this conversation?”
Sasha: “Um, yes?”
I have no idea know why varicose veins, which I am indeed starting to develop, are bumpy. I’d prefer not to think about it. I could look it up and explain it to Sasha, feeding her insatiable intellect and perhaps planting a seed for a successful career as a vascular surgeon. Then again, I could learn Arabic, take the subway out to Atlantic Avenue, buy some falafel mix in the native tongue of the saleswoman and potentially do my small part to bridge the divide between our two cultures. Or I could make sure Sasha has sunscreen on, shoosh her out the door to camp, get back to writing my book, and never think about my varicose veins again.
Until Vivian points them out.
Tags: arabic, falafel, varicose vein, worm
I ABSOLUTELY laughed my ass off at this one! You just slay me.
I thought this was funny only because my lovely 13 year old daughter made the same observation of me the other day. “Mom, why are your legs getting so veiny?”…I hope she has a daughter some day that says that to her…
this is so funny! if it happens to me with my kid, i dont know exactly how to react. good that you are an intellectual type who can manage to explain
Yes - they may be pointing out what (obviously) you would like overlooked.
BUT, at least they notice and are genuinely interested in you as a person, not just a mom.
Wear them proud and get some sally hansen leg spray (I heard that works good).
All the best…
I have been unfortunate enough to have vein problems (spider veins) all of my adult life and even a few years before then. Only in recent years have I had actual varicose veins. Ugh! However, I went to the vascular surgeon who explained that they are “insufficient” and “diseased” and my insurance paid to have them injected and now they’re gone! If you have medical insurance perhaps you could have this taken care of too. (Sorry to suggest this if you do not have med insurance, but good to know that they can be successfully treated…?). To me, it was nice to know (sort of) that it is a genuine medical condition and not just a vanity issue.