Here in the US we are gearing up for our biggest harvest feast. While traditional images of pilgrims and cornucopias permeate decorations everywhere I go, I would like to take this a bit deeper this year and encourage myself – and you – to look at the so-called flaws in my body and consider them in a new light. Why am I thankful for my stretchmarks? Well, the obvious answer is that they grew while my children grew inside of me. I could also say that I am thankful for being a part of this sisterhood of marked mamas – I am not alone, you all lift me up daily, I am blessed for that. This is not to say I have nothing in common with mamas who don’t have stretchmarks, or who bounced back perfectly. I think women in general have a problem with body image. So, I am asking you to write for me why you are thankful for your body – the flawed bits in particular. If you adore every inch of your body, I want to hear from you as well!
Send me what you’ve written, be it a list, an essay, or a short sentence. I will compile these and share them during the week of Thanksgiving. Even if you are not from the US, you can join us in thankfulness – after all, this should be our goal every day of our lives.
E-mail this to me at bonnie@theshapeofamother.com and title your e-mail “Thankfulness” and include the name you’d like to be credited with! Spread the word to the women you know, I think it would be fantastic to show the world an overflowing of these messages. Goodness knows we need to see positivity in this area!
Ahh, beautifully written! Thank you! I’ve often thought how thankful I am for my own stretch marks. They show how boundlessly my body can make room for new life and my heart can make room for unencumbered love.
I am thankful for my stretchmarks, because they are proof that my body can create and feed two children. Also that my husband tells me I’m beautifull and says that my bountifull belly, hips and thighs just make me more of a woman.
I am thankful that my body will do what I tell it to when I want to pick up, cuddle, kiss, tickle, love on, nurse, and comfort my son. I am also thankful that it is successfully carrying and growing another child. I am also thankful that it will(hopefully) VBAC in May. Come on body, you can do it!!
I am thankful for my weary body, though it’s hormones are still unbalanced from recent surgery and the mind it contains is still struggling to find focus, God’s graciously enabled it to maintain strength to comfort my precious baby girl who’s struggled to find a smile and laugh for this long first 12 months of her life.
Im thankful for the confidence I have gained as a woman…..for my 2 beautiful children…….for a husband that loves me and thinks I am beautiful.
Prior to having children, it’s almost like the perky tits and flat tummys and perfect butt call out a mate to mess it all up…….that was my thinking, but now that I am grown with a family, I’m doing my best to love what I have become. Life is too short . . .
I am thankful for my beautiful girlfriend’s life-giving body, her curves are a joyful and sexy testament to her body’s strength and ability to create and develop and nourish her lively lovely daughter.