This bag of bones

This body and me, we've been at odds my whole life.

As the water ran down my body in the shower, I felt battle scarred. I was wounded--bruised, torn, swollen, and lumpy. And then I realized that we did fight a battle. We worked together to battle for Klara's life. Together, we grew her and birthed her. My body and I were on the same side of the enemy line for once.

Through being hurt, I was healed. I learned that this body that I spent so much time loathing has done me well, never more than in this moment while my newborn sleeps peacefully in my lap.

I'm learning to appreciate the magical strength of my body. I'm proud of these wounds--these wounds that allow my heart to beat outside of my chest, in my sleeping baby.