's MotD Monday March 3, 2008

[Guest guest]

THINNER

Monday, 03 March 2008

I went to the flower shop yesterday. There are these roses from Ecuador I get there that are just so beautiful. They're called Esperanza roses. They are a light pink blossom with these petite little green leaves toward the bottom of the bud. I've been buying these roses at Mo's flower shop on Melrose Blvd. here in Los Angeles for a long time.It was a little early in the day when I arrived. I stopped in on the way to do my radio show. When I walked in, since it was rather early, there was only one other person in the shop besides me and the person working there.The other customer was a lady who stood about 5'4" and I'd say she could not have weighed more than 70 pounds. She was wearing a V-neck gray sweater and because of it, you could see all of the bones in her neck and chest. She was also wearing a black skirt and red stockings that outlined the thinnest legs I have seen on a woman.When I looked into her face, all I could see were her eyes. They were big and hollow. When I came in, I couldn't help but notice how she ignored me. I mean, how can you ignore me, the guy with the curly afro, in a tank-top and shorts coming in singing as he walked in...Everything's Coming Up Roses?But she didn't ignore me for long. As I walked over to look at some stunning orchid plants, she came over and began talking to me. She was so very nice and as we chatted, I asked if I could give her a little hug. Her big eyes lit up as her arms reached out to hug me.I took this sweet lady into my arms and, I have to say, there really wasn't very much body to hug. Her frame was so small and I could feel every one of the bones in her back. She hugged me with all her might and we both stood there, locked in that hug for a moment and cried a little.Regaining our composure, she told me that she was raised watching me on TV. And she told me how happy she was to see how I had helped so many people over the years. I thanked her for being so sweet and asked if I could buy a little something for her. I went over and picked up six of those beautiful Esperanza roses and had them wrapped for her.She thanked me and planted a little kiss on my cheek before she left the store. I thought for a few seconds then immediately ran out of the store to catch her before she pulled out of the parking lot.With tears streaming down my face, I asked if I could do anything for her. She just smiled as she told me that she was seeing a therapist now to help her. I asked her to come visit us at Slimmons sometime as I wrote the number to my studio down for her.I related so very much to this woman because, see...at one time, I have been both anorexic or bulimic. I'm sorry to admit that I was every foolish back then and did not seek help for my condition.If you are going through this in your own life right now, if you are a "thinner" or know someone who is, please, find someone to help you or them get through this very self-destructive way of life.I'll let you know if my friend from the flower shop comes to visit me at Slimmons.Love,