This little cutie-patootie saw the sun yesterday.

It’s been about sixteen years.

And frankly, I owe her a few apologies.

I never liked her, really. And I certainly never treated her well.

For the longest time, I exposed her. Put her on display. Used her for the pleasure of others.

See?? Looky here!!! Who wants to take a peek???

I squeezed her. And shoved her into tight spaces. I starved her and crunched her and occasionally made her throw up in the bathroom.

Then after years of ballooning and shrinking with babies. And hard times. And LIFE.

I hated her.

I ridiculed and shamed her. I attempted to disguise her. I hid her under spanx or extra-long tankinis. Always yanking and tugging. Constantly pulling and adjusting to keep her covered.

Gross.

I believed she was too stretched out. And chubby.

I believed she was ugly decorated with all those stretch marks.

And to be honest, I treated her twin sisters up above exactly the same way. Not to mention her cousins, my thighs.

None of them have ever been quite the right shape. Or size.

Too much flesh.

Too much skin.

Too many dimples. And scars.

ALL taking up too much space!!

And I never really thought about their purpose…

Until now.

And really???

I’m proud of their hard work!! Growing humans and housing organs and feeding babies and carrying me through this one precious, beautiful life.

The whole lot of them deserve to be celebrated. Appreciated. Honored and adored.

So, I’m listening to them now.

I’m treating them ALL with respect. And love.

And from now on…

This little cutie-patootie tells me she wants to enjoy the sun.