I don’t like you running and walking on your own to the house and office. Something will happen to you if you’re not careful.

V.S., 2014

one of the last warnings from my stepfather before his passing.

I had gone out of a walk/short jog as part of me trying to lose weight and I was proud of myself for being at it for two months and having success.   Combined with other things I was noticing changes and improvements and got really excited, depression or not.

My stepfather, I suspect, knew what my plans were and what I was doing.  He mocked me and made fun of me fixing myself and losing weight and wanting to rise out of my station in life.  And I couldn’t hide my transformation forever.

But he also raised more enemies than someone should have in life.

but

The other discovery I had made was that my regular clothing wasn’t even remotely suitable for exercising.  Pinching, shifting, jiggling and poking and just not viable at all.  Especially when jogging.

I didn’t think I would need to start replacing my wardrobe.

Ouch!