Big Girl Panties

One of the funniest people I know, I get to walk with.

We meet at my parents’ house and trudge back through deep leaves, past Slippery Rock, to the fire trail.

There we can walk for miles on end. We often climb Little Kennesaw Mountain and then head back down in a big circle.

And as we walk–with me often out of breath–we talk.

We talk about everything: children, parents, God, work. Marriage, men, faith, doubt, prayer, and difficult decisions.

Once, when I exclaimed to Mary, who is extremely fit and climbs the mountain everyday with her dog, “I’m walking good, aren’t I?!”

Her response was, “Patty, I’ve always thought you walked good.”

Her humor is dry and witty, understated like her genteel Southern lady ways.

So, I was surprised one day when she remarked that it was time to put on her “big girl panties”. I laughed hard.

I knew what she meant. That screwing up of the courage to do what you have to do. To act like a woman, no longer a little girl.

I have to do it each morning when I get on the scales. Afraid of where the numbers will stop, like some lottery game with random balls, I remove my slippers, EVERY piece of clothing, even a bobby pin, and I metaphorically put on my big girl panties to look at where the numbers come to rest.

Each morning it repeats itself. I dread getting on the scales..and yet, I do it.

Life is filled with so many hard things: decisions, chores, work. Raising kids. Caring for elderly parents. Even exercise.

We want to sometimes crawl back in bed.

But God has said, “Grow up. Put on your Big Girl Panties or Big Boy Shorts, screw up your courage, and do what you have to do.”

It is past time to give up childish ways.

Thank you, Mary, for making me laugh. For walking with me even when you have to slow down. And for reminding me it is time to buck up.