Passing judgement

Yesterday the children and I celebrated the youngest one's arrival at college by going out to eat at a popular chinese buffet. The restaurant was impressive (by local standards) by being extra clean, bright and having lots of fresh vegetables and fruits on its serving tables. Remember this.

Several tables over were three VERY large women who had settled in for the long haul. Their clothes weren't adequately covering their stomachs and backsides. Rolls of fat across their backs and stomach. And they weren't shy. The waitstaff made repeated trips to their tables to clear away the empty dishes as they trundled back and forth to the bufett.

Now, this is hardly a new thing where I live - land of prolific fat people in the Deep South - and normally I would just grit my teeth and get out of the way (which I did yesterday, a lot). But something clicked yesterday and if my sensible children hadn't been with me, well dear reader, I might not be enjoying my freedom this morning.

Almost hidden from sight at their table was a precious little girl, about three or four, seated in front of a plate of fried food. Not one green vegetable, not one piece of fruit, not even a carrot stick or brown rice. Just.Fried.Meat. Probably a glass of sugar sweet tea or coke in front of her.

I honestly could see this little girl's entire life flash before my eyes. Entrusted to the "care" of those morbidly obese women - mother, sister, auntie, whomever - she didn't have a chance. No hope of the blessings of good health or a normal presentable wardrobe. I say this because I don't consider purple stretch knit tops and pants to be normal or presentable.

A picture would be worth a thousand words. Sadly I didn't take one. Because it was pitiful.
I believe it was child endangerment. But in our culture it's considered love. Food is love. Eating to excess is loving your food a lot.

I couldn't help that little girl. Only she won't be little for very long. Very sad.