A Love Letter

Dear 37 Year Old Body,

When I first sat down to write this, I was totally prepared to bitch you out for failing me.  My leg hurts, my back hurts, I feel exhausted and depressed.  But, then something hit me and made me think differently.  If I blame you for the way I feel, then I am refusing to take responsibility for my actions and choices that have led to your deterioration.  So, really, I need to thank you.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be overweight for so many years and then lose the weight quickly with very little issue. 

Thank you for not being overly upset for smoking and drinking for so long and thank you for being patient with me while I kicked smoking, not once, but twice.  That was really kind of you. 

Thank you for being able to carry my three children to term and recovering so well after two cesareans.  And awesome job pushing the third one out after 3 days of labor.  I was in total awe of your power.  I didn't know you had it in you. 

Thank you so much for helping me get two half marathons and one full marathon under my belt, despite the fact that I was old to start a new sport, probably pushed you way too hard during training and did not always listen to you when you were telling me to slow down. 

Thank you for still being able to walk, see and hear.  I know that some people can not and I am grateful to have those abilities. 

Thank you for not (so far) having some type of cancer, even though I have given you every reason to do so.  I will try harder to not raise my chances. 

Finally, thank you for just being you.  You never complain about me, even though I complain plenty about you and you always seem to bounce back from most trials I throw at you.

Body, you rock and I love you.  I will try not to blame you for all of my shortcomings from now on.  I want to do right by you and give you back all that you have given me.  Oh, one more thing.  Please don't die.  I am not ready for that.

Yours Forever,

ApparentlyATotalB