Gutsy and Gussied Up

"I LOST ALL MY "BABY WEIGHT!"
"NOT!
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

"Thin people have less battles to fight."
Cheryl Harwell Bailey

This week I am sorry to see how badly the press hammers
the famous expectant mothers,
or those who have had a baby.

They feel bad enough
about their changing bodies without that!
It should be about the
miracle of birth!
But our world is mean.
No compassion even during "baby weight."
"I know of which I speak!"

Pictures prove I was skinny!

I thought I was fat.
But I wasn't!

As a teenager I compared myself to size 2 girlfriends. "Twiggy" was the top model,

and I lived on a diet, hungry all the time!

Eating disorders never entered my mind.

I didn't even know such a thing existed.

By the time I was 16, I was a size 12.

I thought I was fat.

But I wasn't.

In those days, you started taking birth control pills

a month before your wedding.

Those were some serious pills.

My hormones went crazy.

I was a size 14, up 10 lbs. on my wedding day.

I thought I was fat!

But I wasn't.

Randall was, and is, so great for my self- image.

He was positive and sincere, but I was gaining weight.

I loved "cooking" for my new husband.

And I loved eating what I cooked.

That combined with ...a years worth of birth control hormones, I was up to a size 16.

I threw the pills away!

I thought I was fat.

I was.

Soon I was expecting!

It was the happiest day of my life.

I was actually holding another human being within my body.

During my 9 months, it was all good,

but our baby lived only 1 day.

I wanted to die too.

This is the only time in my life I had no appetite.

A few months went by,

and, Praise the Lord, I was pregnant again.

We were thrilled.

My empty arms, were craving to hold our child.

We had a healthy beautiful baby girl!

The joy of total contentment followed.

I was Randall's wife, and Kendra's mommy.

We were so very happy,

but we desperately wanted more children.

We had almost given up hope,
when we were blessed in 1983 with,
another beautiful baby girl.

After 12 years of marriage, our family was complete.

I wanted to be a "stay at home mom."
I worked outside the home very little.

Being a wife, and a mommy kept me busy.
We didn't need to make money to be "happy."
We were simply grateful, to be so blessed.
There are no words in human language
to describe how I loved being Randall's wife,
and being a mommy to our girls.

Not long after turning "40," I received a call

from the owner of a prominent

California talent & modeling agency.

"Mrs. Bailey, would you consider

coming in for an interview?"

"You must have the wrong number!" I responded.

I was shocked to hear "Penny Clymer" say, "no honey,

I do not have the wrong number.

I have been looking for a curvy blonde like you for 2 years."

"Do you know how old I am, or my size?" I asked.

"I'm holding a picture of you in my hand,

and I want you to come in today."

Randall got on the phone, and said, "she's on her way!"

"Come on, Baby, and get in this car!"

And away we went!

I was over "40," and most certainly not skinny,

but I found myself modeling furs at "Macy's" that Saturday.

I was one of the first plus size models in California.

I modeled the "Elizabeth," line for Liz Claiborne.

I was getting paid big bucks because,... of my size.

Go figure!

Photo by "Penny Clymer"

I was able to contribute financially ,
and be home most of the time.
With a professional portfolio,
a custom make-up kit mixed in "Paris,"
I had a modeling career and contract.
You just never know what "God" is going to do.
Especially if you have a man, like mine!

For a long period of time, I did not gain weight,
but I wasn't losing.
I continued with my career.

Several years later, I experienced a health crisis,

that changed everything. I had an allergic reaction,

breaking out in hives inside and out, around my heart.

They put me in I.C.U. and started pumping me

full of steroids in heavy doses.

I am a miracle!

I lived! Swollen and heavier, but alive!

I still struggle like I never thought possible,

to lose the "steroid pounds."

It is a constant battle,

but I am losing weight,.....a little!

I want to stay around for our cherished grandchildren, children, and my beloved husband.