A Letter To My Body

Dear dear friend-

We have been together now for over 50 years. You were there in the beginning with me, when I was learning to put one foot in front of the other. You were there through all my deepest sorrows and my highest highs. You never wavered. You never questioned how I would treat you, you never questioned the times I elected to have a surgeon cut into you, you just kept supporting me and beating along.

Many times, I have regretted how I have treated you. Many times my behavior would have been considered abusive. It makes me hurt to know that I put you through so much for so long.

But things have changed. I no longer get angry at you, I no longer punish you for my emotions. I am so thankful for you. You gave protection to my beautiful child, not just once but three times. Even when you were unable to support the life within me, you allowed me time to grieve and then immediately gave me another chance to have my babies.

There have been times when you were hurting or you were sick and I neglected your signs. I was too wrapped up in my own feelings and emotions that I couldn’t focus on you. But you have my attention now…full attention. What do they say? Better late than never?

I no longer fill you with food that gives you nothing, just empty calories. Now I take care of you, I look for ways to nourish you, I try to move daily to keep you from aging too quickly. I am your protector now instead of your comrade. I will keep you safe.

How I wish I had learned this lesson earlier in life. I thank you for never giving up on me. I know I have pushed you to your limits but I do love you. You are beautiful and you are so forgiving.

Let’s go into this future together now, working together to enhance the best of both of us.

I will support you and you support me. Deal?

From you ever learning, ever loving and ever loyal admirer,

Joanna