A Letter From My Body

Dear Heather,

I’ve served you well for 52 years. And yet, you walked by the mirror and gave me a look of disappointment earlier today. 

Wishing that you filled out that dress. Hmmm, maybe I should have just gotten that boob job….

I would like to remind you that I’ve never asked you to keep your heart beating, or to figure out how to inhale. I’ve asked you neither to manage the mechanics of your kidneys nor your liver.

You’ve jumped, climbed, ran, helped others to safety when they couldn’t help themselves and you’ve given birth to 2 beautiful, healthy human beings. Those boobs that you always wanted to be bigger? Well my friend, you nursed with those. Brought comfort and food to infants.

You held the hands of people who were not long for this world as they made their transitions, You’ve held injured, tired, grieving people in your work. And you’ve held the gazes of the heartbroken, your physical body a solid presence as they realized that their lives would never be the same. 

Your petite frame had the physical strength to help lift people far bigger than you up from the ground. 

And that sun damage that you wish you could undo on your face? Guess what. You ran in the surf, jumped on your boogie board, pretended that you were a mermaid, created sand castles and built lasting memories with your loved ones. Do not diminish those memories. 

The lines in your forehead show others your intense interest in them. That furrowed brow is grooved by your curiosity.

Heather, my job is to find homeostasis. I will keep fighting infections, digest your food and maintain your body temperature. I will not judge you for your thoughts. I keep working regardless. But you would feel so much better if you were to focus on your appreciation for me. 

Every single system in your body is working for you and doing a damn good job of it. You will always want more and you will always look for better. That’s the human experience and it’s what brings humans to accomplish things that they’ve never accomplished before. 

But please build on the miracles that I’ve created for you instead of judging the stretch marks and crows feet. “Fix” what you must to satisfy your vanity but Lord woman what would it take for you to love me?