Learning to Live With Our Bodies

It’s unavoidable this time of year.

The commercials proclaiming a new “fitter” or “thinner” you.

Pushing weight loss teas or some quick fix to help “transform” you into society’s version of perfection.  Skinnier, prettier, better.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all for making healthy sustainable changes to improve your mental and physical well being.  I applaud it and say bravo for having the courage and the fortitude to carry through on those.  You eat that salad, hit those weights, drink that water, and meal prep.  I am here for that!

But, being a mama of a little girl who looks different than others though…..I’m not a fan of the rhetoric of body bashing, body shaming, and conformity to a certain “look” that tends to be directed at girls.

I’ve learned to live with my body, my scars, and my imperfections….instead of waging a war against them.  To celebrate them.  I want to teach my daughter the same set of values.

I want to teach her to remember ALL that her body does for her.

It runs with her prosthetic running blade.

It dances.  Joyfully, beautifully, and remarkable.

It rides her therapy horse, Jazzy.

It has two small hands for creating amazing masterpieces of art.  Two small hands to pet all the dogs, scratch all the cat ears, and nuzzle all the soft horse noses.

It has a button nose that scrunches up when she’s concentrating on something.

It’s unique and wonderfully made.

It has a sassy little mouth that always has a quick joke or a motivational pep talk at the ready.

It has two beautiful blue eyes that remind me of the ocean.  Those eyes are framed by the longest eye lashes that she got from her Daddy.

It has strong arms that always have a hug for her friends and family.

It has scars that show the battles she’s won.  A ton of battles.

It has a smattering of freckles that dance across the bridge of her nose like her Mama.

It has a warrior’s heart.  Strong, brave, and courageous.

It has a soft, sweet, kind soul.

It’s the body of my best little friend in the whole wide world.  Whom I love more than life itself.

So this New Year, we have no body goals.

This year we will start off with peace.

With acceptance.

With love.

For all that our bodies do for us.

For the inspiring life they let us experience.

And gratitude for all they will continue to do for us in the coming year.