Dear Body, Even though I only partially like you, I’ve come to realize recently that you are amazing. God created me so intricate; He began to form me at the moment of conception, and it blows my mind that with all the things that you are doing at every given moment - with all your organ systems and each part of my being - that very few things have gone wrong. You are created by God, and although I struggle with loving the way you look, I want to express sincere thanks for keeping me alive. I can’t even begin to cover all of you, but I will acknowledge the parts I feel most need to be addressed.
Dear Nervous System,
I never noticed you until about five months ago when you started to cause me pain. My headaches were constant, increasing in pain with each passing day. (Yes, that’s from the song Supernatural). They caused me confusion, memory loss, fear, and ultimately desperation. The only thing I wanted in my life for six weeks was for the pain to just go away. But after all that happened, when my headaches started to go away and I could live, I realized how important you are. One bounce off the head, and that happens. Activities of daily living became difficult feats to accomplish. I couldn’t skate, and I became depressed because of that. I realized that you control everything else in my body. So with that I thank you for giving me my life back at the end of a very long six weeks. I thank you for showing me how fragile you are, and how significant you are. I thank you for bringing an event in my life that brought me so much closer to God, because it was my only choice.
Dear Digestive System,
We’ve got some issues we need to work through. I’m not really sure what you’re doing right now, but it’s not enjoyable. I’m hoping I can figure out what’s going on so we can fix this thing between us, because right now I am quite angry at you. I don’t know how we will end up, but I’m hoping it will have a beautiful ending.
Dear Reproductive System,
You’ve stuck it out, despite the abuse I’ve put you through. I thank you for that. I have but one thing to ask of you, and that is to continue pushing through during my childbearing years. I don’t know if you know this, but my dream is to be a mother. And I would really prefer to have biological children. I know I’ve beat you up and I haven’t been nice, but I promise you I am going to be nicer now. I want to have kids, healthy kids that don’t die in utero or shortly after birth - I’ve heard way too many stories about that. You can do it, I know you can. Thank you for giving me this opportunity of giving life to somebody, that is amazing. Thank you for being what makes me a woman. Oh yeah, and one more thing - I’m not enjoying this one time of the month. I think it may have something do with you, so lighten up, okay?
Dear Muscular System,
I’ve put you through a lot, with jumps, synchro, rowing, and kettle bells. You have been stretched. I think you have thoroughly enjoyed it though. Each time I’m sore, I realize how much I use you. Even just by walking upstairs and sitting down, I use like, three muscles in my legs. I thank you for giving me form, for being there while I’m skating (I don’t know what I’d do without you there), and for giving people an excuse to say I’m not fat.
Dear Hair,
I love you. I love your color (even though it’s not natural), your texture, your length, and thickness. You’re so pretty. Thank you for being one thing on my body that I can now say I like.
Dear Stomach,
I don’t like you. At all. In fact I hate you. I want to change you.
Dear Thighs,
I don’t like you either. Especially the stretch marks, not cool. Not cool at all. I’d give anything to replace you. But, Markus does say I have very strong legs, which is a good thing for skating, so I thank you for that.
Dear Feet,
You also, have given me problems. It wouldn’t be a big deal if I didn’t skate, I guess. You’re just not made for skating, which kind of sucks. But you let me walk, which is a very important thing to me.
Love,
Liz
I’m getting there.
