A Letter to My Body

Dearest Body,

You are such an amazing trooper, I tells ya! You take so much abuse on a daily basis when I accidentally bump into things and walk barefoot on rocks. You have supported my every action in life without question even though I am sure I hurt your feelings with some of the things I've called you. I'm sorry.

You have had my back through thick and thin, quite literally. I have starved you, made you vomit, pinched you, punched you, and banged our head into walls. For this I apologize, I was unaware how to control my hormones then. You have been big, and small, and have run fast and long, and lifted for the sake of lifting, just so I could use you more. Thank you.

I love our walks together, thank you for the sensations you allow me to feel, like the brisk wind, the warm sun, the cool pavement, and even the occasion drop of rain. Skin, you are lovely! Eyes, you are the portal to the world, watching the birds play in the air currents, taking in the sun rise, and the faces of those I love. Ears, you add so much to the picture, the tweets and caws, the whoooshes and wooos, the voices, and rustling in the leaves. Thank you.

Muscles, I am grateful for the strength you've given me to lift my baby and hold him when he was small. You allow me to move through life with ease, lifting boxes, and books, and bags, and more! Tendons, I know you help as well! You are not forgotten, and are equally appreciated. Thank you!

Bones, you are the foundation of this amazing body! Were not for you, I would be a pulsing puddle on the floor, sliding around like a mollusk out of water. Spine, you hold me tall and proud. Skull, you are the home of my amazing and crazy brain! Ribcage, you protect my HEART and lungs! Shoulder blades, and arms, I am grateful for how lovely you can be, yet so strong and nimble, don't even get me started on hands and fingers! Hips and legs, what can I say, you are awesome! We run, jump, climb, walk and squat, all day, every day, you rock! Feet, my beautiful and precious feet and toes, the beginning and end of my connection to earth, so delicate and nimble! Toes to support yoga poses and ballet. Thank you!

To my fat, who I have the hardest relationship with, I do love you, and I am so so sorry for all of the names I've called you. You are there to support me and store fuel, it's not your fault I couldn't control myself at times. I love you, as you are a part of me. You are soft and comforting to babies, you will serve me well when I am hugging my grandchildren someday and they aren't bumping their little heads into fragile old bone. My bosom adds padding for loving embraces, and my behind protects my butt bones when I sit down.  Thank you!

To my cartilage, hair, and nails, thanks for everything you do! I love my nose and ears, and having nails protecting the tips of my feet and hands, and hair keeps my head warm and retains moisture and senses things, like wow!

To all of my internal organs, and external one ;), you are so wonderful, you keep me going, you process everything I do all day, what I take in through my mouth, eyes and ears, you digest even the nastiest things and do your best to suck out something nutritious. Brain, you know...mad love. Heart, what can I say, without you, I would be dead. Lungs, boy howdy have I messed you up over the years. Thank you for your continued strength and amazing ability to bounce back! You truly are Rock Stars.

Body, each of your parts is amazing by itself, and when I get all of you in one place, Me, we become greater than the sum of us all! Again, thank you, thank you, thank you. Now, let's go have some fun today!