Wapsi Square

What makes a Wapsi Girl? A Wapsi girl is someone who can face her
fears, get through them, and come out stronger on the other side,
perhaps a little bruised and dusty but still able to laugh with her
friends about it later. A Wapsi Girl embraces life and her own part in
it, and refuses to let others shape her concept of who she is, who she
can be or should be.

I have been through some rough times in my life, I won’t go into
detail on them here, but I have come out of each experience with a new
strength, new skills, and more wisdom. It took me a long time to learn
one very important lesson: each person has to live the life that is
right for themselves. Being able to wake up in the morning and look at
myself in the mirror, and really love that person who is looking back?
That is more important and more empowering than any external
validation will ever be. To know that I love my plus size body, and
that it is strong and healthy in spite of the issues it has, and that
I love the person carried around in that body, the mind and the soul,
makes each day worth living. I know that when it comes down to brass
tacks, I will do what is right, even if it costs me my job, my home,
my material stability. A clear conscience is worth more than any
material thing.

I have a soft spot for animals, having grown up on a small farm with
cats, goats, dogs, chickens and horses. I still live surrounded by
cats; currently I’m “mom” to eleven indoor cats and about seven
outdoor ferals whom I’m trying to coax into trusting me. No matter how
the humans in my life have treated me, animals always give love back
in spades for every bit they receive. I have to admit though, nothing
quite makes me smile like kisses from a happy dog! (Okay, kisses from
Billy Idol might, but I haven’t had a chance to test that theory yet.)
If you don’t believe animals have souls, you haven’t spent enough
time with them.

When I was a teenager, I couldn’t find clothes I liked that fit my
then 38-21-36 body, so I learned to sew and made my own, in styles and
colours that flattered me. I still do the same, and now I make
jewellery for myself and others as well. I may not be able to fit
into size 7 jeans these days, but I can lift fifty pounds easily, fix
computers and plumbing, repair and replace light fixtures, hug a
friend and be a shoulder for them to cry on or an ear when they need
it, help build a shelter for feral kittens and feed them through a
winter, cook nourishing meals, be a comfy mattress for a toddler to
fall asleep on, and so much more. Now I wear a size 42B bra, and will
not settle for one that doesn’t fit just because some manufacturer
thinks that anyone with a 42 band must have at least a C cup, or
because some salesgirl wants to make commission by selling a two
hundred fifty dollar bra that is far too small! I have an hourglass
figure (46-35-46) despite the assumption of plus size stores that all
big women are round, my blood pressure is low because I take care of
every ounce of my big body, and I still get frequent compliments on my
legs. I am a strong woman, with strong opinions, and I am not afraid
of voicing those opinions or defending them. I’m also not afraid to
admit when I am wrong, but I do demand proof!

Don’t accept the status quo or settle for less just because it is what
is offered! Make your voice heard and demand what you know is right
for you, whether it be a bra that fits, a career that makes you happy,
an apartment with the perfect view, or a man who can love you even
when you’re having a crazy day. If someone tells you you can’t do
something, go out & prove them wrong!

I’m honoured to be part of the Wapsi Girl project!