I saw an amazing episode of Oprah a while back, and it talked about how women in the middle East loved themselves and thought they were very beautiful, regardless of anyone else’s perception. It’s changed how I look at myself completely. I’m someone’s loving mother, someone’s beautiful child, and someone’s favorite big sister. I’ve been someone’s true love, first love and the cause of a first broken heart. 2 people and 5 animals rely on me for their basic life needs, I’ve taught children to read, puppies not to pee in the house and countless people how to sew/knit/garden etc. I’m a capable funny woman, and damnit, I do a lot if I sit down and write it out, say it out loud or just sit and think about it. I have a million stretch marks, have been a mother since the age of 18 and live paycheck to paycheck etc, etc, but when I sit down and think about everything I’ve gotten right, I smile to my beautiful self :)