A love letter to my body
The human body is an amazing creation. We put it through so many trials and tribulations in all manners and ways and yet, it strives to continuously, and unconditionally, fight to keep us alive and healthy.
‘Clumsy’ would be one of the first words my friends and family would use to describe me, followed by ‘sporty’ or ‘athletic’. Sadly for the sportsperson, as a more active breed of our species, the more at risk of injury and other ailments we are. Some maybe more than others, I admit! However, we become more resilient because our bodies are fantastically responsive.
Last December I read a feature in Women’s Glamour Magazine (I am a regular reader!) A love letter to my body and I have consequently (a year later…) felt inspired to write one myself and take a moment to show some love and appreciation to my being.
Dear Body,
I’m sorry. I know this word is thrown around frivolously, but really I am. From deep down inside, I apologise for how I have treated you. Not only for the countless times I considered you as a ‘failure’ when falling ill or getting injured, but also for not helping you heal, rest, recover and giving you the TLC you deserve. Yet, I feel the strongest and fittest I have ever felt in my life. I know how much battering you have taken to get here (and, I might as well give you the heads up – will have to endure!) and I am sorry. I promise to listen more to how you feel and act accordingly.
I can only think of three things that are/have been out of my control.
- Appendicitis – what was all that about?
- Acne – I know stress does not help, but seriously, a break out isn’t helping the situation. I promise to cope with the stress a little better, if you deal with the hormones.
- Hypermobility – yes, flexibility is good, but due to your weird bendiness, not only do we scare people, but it means when I have a clumsy moment (often), the results can be a little more serious than if a regular non-hypermobile person had done the same. I’ve done my physiotherapy and continue to do so, so please just try and keep those ligaments and tendons strong, too!
From the day I randomly swallowed a nappy pin as a toddler (I was pretending it was a doll’s bottle and showing her how to use it…) to the countless bouts of tonsillitis (my fault – ‘burning the candle at both ends’), to the bruises, cuts, grazes and broken bones, to my brash and impatient behaviour with you; today, I feel great and am left with some great scars and stories to bore people with.
For the times I over eat and then complain about stomach ache as you try to process the ridiculous amount of calories I have just consumed; for the times I have no voice and a burning throat, yet keep talking and not resting; for the time I carried on skiing when you had my shoulder screaming out to stop; for the times you ache and are so tired, yet still endure the exercise, finding the energy to keep going; for the times I don’t eat enough and still expect you to perform; for the times I call you ‘fat’, ‘ugly’, ‘spotty’ and complain of ‘buck teeth’ wanting to be perfect when I just need to accept being perfectly imperfect – I thank you, as all you show me, in return to this abuse, is love, support and unconditional loyalty, as you heal me and keep me alive. I could not be prouder. Thank you.
Love,
Rachael
I was about 4. Funny now, but at the time (although still fairly amusing) worrying if it had been open or, if through the digestive process had popped open, it would have resulted in some major surgery. If you are also wondering – yes, I had to have every toilet trip checked and yes, the nappy pin was boiled and is kept with the x-ray. Beats a story about sticking a toy up your nose/in you ear.
A broken arm at the age of 9 – a tumble backwards on ahem, cross country skis, and my bendy elbow went ‘snap’. I like this photo – George is smaller than me and everyone’s attire is awesome.
Road rash after a forward roll over the handle bars on my bike – 8 stitches in my back and 3 in my elbow. And yes, those are monkey faces to maintain some dignity.
When that wasn’t bad enough, my body then disagreed with the even hypoallergenic dressings…ITCHY. (apologies for the pants – clearly my favourite pair)
A few beers after a succession of failed BASI exams that resulted in a broken foot; cherry on top of the cake and all that!
General wear and tear due to hypermobility, but a crash off-piste ripped the labrum in my shoulder to bits. Didn’t stop me from getting too unfit!
