Self Love

"Underneath your clothes, there's an endless story..."

I can't remember whose song this line is from. Undoubtedly some inane pop siren that did not write it herself, but only rode its coat tails to stardom. This line alone, however, moves me deeply.

Motherhood changes you in ways you can never imagine.

Our bodies are temples, and they tell such amazing stories. I used to be bitter with my round, soft body. I longed again for the lithe almost pre-pubescent figure I so easily maintained years ago. Now I have come to realize that all women, all mothers are beautiful. Having given birth, my eyes are deeper, my hips are wider, my mind is quicker. My thoughts revolve around
two very small boys and their needs, no longer around myself and my pleasures. My stretch marks are badges of honor; they remind me how my body carried, nurtured, and grew perfectly my two beautiful children. My breasts are like two dancing willow trees, bending and swaying gracefully. They are a constant reminder that my imperfect human form has been given an immeasurable gift. It is a blessing to be able to feed my children God's perfect nutrition: their mother's milk. I imagine with its flow into them so go my deepest hopes, prayers, and dreams.

I wonder how our society has come to this, the way women are judged today. There are more of us who bear resemblance to the fertile mother-goddesses of ancient days than the thin super models we tend to envy. What are our daughters being taught about their value as women, their value as human beings, when our society promotes unattainable standards of perfection?

We must realize that beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes. It's not the color of their skin, shape of their hips, style of their hair, or the make-up they wear. It's in how they carry themselves, how they live, how they love, how they worship, and how they feel. Motherhood is a divine calling, and each woman should feel honored to be able to take part in the
creation of an immortal soul.

Now, I wonder if the pop star herself ever gave that seemingly simple line so much thought?

Marianna Ballard is the voluptuous
mother of 2 children.

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