Jealousy In Unexpected Places

I’m really not a jealous person. I am happy for those who are fortunate in life.  If I see a lady who has a beautiful family that loves her, I am happy for her.   When a guy pull up in a fully restored ’57 Chevy convertible, complete w/ vanity license plates reading “AHH YEAH”, I’m happy for him. I have met two people in my life who have won large lottery jackpots, and I was very happy for them. Even when I see a drop-dead gorgeous exotic looking young woman wearing Chanel and four and a half inch Jimmy Choos, I am delighted for her.  Seriously, I’m just not an envious person by nature.

Yesterday, my tire blew out. While I was waiting for my husband, I went into a local pub.  A nice girl, Jenna, started a conversation with me. She was missing all four of her front teeth!   We somehow started talking about dieting, and she told me that it is impossible for her to gain weight. She mentioned she weighed 102 lbs. and that she would love to gain at least 5 pounds but just couldn’t. She complained about how her metabolism was just “too high.” I’m sitting there with that old country song playing in my head...“A metabolism too high…What’s that mean? It’s like too much money, no such thing.” 

Ironically, it happened to be karaoke evening.   Once the festivities started, I clinged to the hope that my DVR was working and recording American Idol so I could watch it when I got home. “Big Matt” was up first singing George Straits. He was actually good. We all clapped. Next, it was Jenna.

I watched Jenna sing. In a world where if most of us had the misfortune to lose even one of our teeth, we would not leave the house unless it was to be fitted with our Davinci Veneers, this gal was poised and confident. She sang beautifully.

I found myself actually envious of this young woman. Not, however, for the reason you think. I found myself envious of her confidence.  Despite her appearance, she sang with passion, poise and enthusiasm. Even missing all four of those front teeth, she could get up in front of that crowd and dazzle us all with her nice voice and pleasant demeanor.

As my husband came to my rescue, I left smiling. 
I left smiling knowing that there are people like Jenna in this world. 
I left smiling knowing that I do give people the benefit of the doubt. 
I left smiling knowing that I do always look for the best others. 
I left smiling knowing it is possible for me to be jealous of a young woman who is missing her front teeth.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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Arno Avatar
January 9, 2012 at 10:13 PM
Congratulations on your great write. Best regards, Jon
Dietrich Avatar
January 9, 2012 at 9:25 PM
this is one I faved back in AUG. Congrats again, sweetie!!
Brown Avatar
January 9, 2012 at 6:39 AM
Congratulations on you win in Debbie Guzzi's contest Natalie. Love, Carol
Onclaud Avatar
January 9, 2012 at 12:39 AM
you amped my energy, nat.. sweet congrats on the fine win! woohoo..:) huggs!
Quigley Avatar
January 8, 2012 at 10:50 PM
I left smiling after reading this narrative. Congratulations Natalie
Sweetheart Avatar
January 8, 2012 at 8:16 PM
CONGRATS NATALIE ON A WONDERFUL WIN FOR THIS DYNAMIC STORY.. ENJOYED YOUR CREATIVE WORDS LUV.. ALWAYS A WINNER TO ME..
Dietrich Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 1:31 AM
Natalie I remember this one from reading it before and how I really liked it. I think it deserved even higher placement. One of my faves in the contest and congrats on the winners' list. Luv, Andrea
Susan Avatar
August 27, 2011 at 8:39 PM
a great narrative. very uplifting and inspiring! congratulations on your win :)
La France Avatar
August 26, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Congratulations on your win in my contest and for your ever support of me and my prose~~
Dietrich Avatar
August 26, 2011 at 12:11 AM
wow wow wow, this is SO good. What was the FOL contest anyway?? Here is a belated congrats for whatever it was. And this should have been at the top of the list!!! (loved the line about blonde and good shoes and girl complaining of high metabolism. I'd KILL for that)
Dietrich Avatar
August 26, 2011 at 12:11 AM
BTW, a FAVE
Horne Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 5:04 PM
Many congrats to you, Natalie : )
Lane Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Well done. I enjoyed your entry. Tony
Johnson Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 2:47 PM
What a very nice person you must be. Great poem. Congratulations. I give it top honors for content. Love, Joyce
Brown Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved placement in Constance's "A Fragment of Life" contest Natalie. Love, Carol
Kendrick Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Congrats on your great win..Sara
Sweetheart Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Congrats Natalie on your exciting win with this tremendous write for the contest.. enjoy with luv...
Williams Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM
hey Natalie,congrat on your win,great poem David
La France Avatar
August 23, 2011 at 8:42 AM
Soup mail in a moment
Horne Avatar
August 19, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Witty write, Natalie. Thanks - your contest was good fun : )
Dufresne Avatar
August 17, 2011 at 8:02 AM
Great Natalie. This people watcher story speaks volumes about human nature, judgement , self knowlege, humility and some dang good observations and writing on your part. Awesomely cool. oh and sorry on the bet loss but I guess he just wasn't a Hoss. A couple bucks on a forty to one would a been nice but if he'd a come in would have just been ticked off ya didn't put a hunnert spot on him! At least I would. Thanks for the info and sharing your cool narrative. I enjoyed it in depth and even learned something about myself in the process. Have a great one Natalie.
Onclaud Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 1:35 PM
every moment speaks to us about who we are, nats.. a jumbo of enlightened slices of life.... i likey; so grounded and well-scribed.. hot stuff, girl..:)huggs, nette
Ball Avatar
August 10, 2011 at 11:51 AM
I absolutely loved this. Really good imagery and wonderful storyline. Thanks so much for sharing this. Going into my faves. God Bless, JB ps: I entered your contest but couldn`t work the word Burlesque into it. sorry. :)
Neels Avatar
August 10, 2011 at 4:03 AM
Gosh, what an awesome write.. I love the lesson you shared with us Natalie.. Hopefully Jenna got everything you wished for her in your "about this poem" segment.. Thanks for the smiles you brought to my day :)
 Avatar
August 9, 2011 at 8:09 PM
I really enjoyed reading this very much, great message attached to a wonderful story and thanks again for your comments. Love Alexa
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