Dear body,

I’m sorry, for all the terrible things I’ve ever done, said, or thought. I’m sorry that I’ve never appreciated you enough, that I haven’t looked after you well enough, and that I’ve so often given you so little , while still expecting you to give me so much. I’m sorry I haven’t listened to you, I’m sorry that I’ve hurt you, and I’m sorry that I haven’t been thankful for what you do for me. I’m sorry that I’ve let the incredible things you are capable be forgotten, and I’m sorry that I have always placed too much force and importance on your failures, instead of your victories.

Thank you. You amaze me. You walk for hours every day, even though it was once said that you would never be able to again. You breathe, and your heart beats every second, keeping me alive. Even when I am asleep and resting, you are working hard. You let me dance, and sing, and laugh. You lift things that are too heavy, you take the food I feed you, and you turn it into energy. You are my shell, protecting me from the outside world, and whenever you are knocked back down, you are willing to get back up and try again.

You have made mistakes, we all have. You have sometimes failed me. You have sometimes been unable to maintain the level of health I’d hoped you would, and I’m sure that we will experience more of these bumps together, but I know that you will still do everything you can for me, and it’s time that I stated returning the favour.

I love the bumps and jiggles, and stripes, and all the other little so-called imperfections. Thank you for being strong enough to care for me.

I promise that, from now on, I will not make you doubt if you will ever get another meal, because I will feed you, and I will not pick you apart for the shape that the food moulds you into. I promise that I will try my very best, and I know that you will help me, to stop criticising you so much, because, body, you do so much for me, and it seems that I should give you better thanks than I have done so far. I promise that I will listen to you when you are telling me that you are hungry, or that you are tired, and I will give you rest when you as for it. I promise that I will try to treat you gently. I promise that I will do everything I can to not hate you, because you are so incredible, and have never deserved my hatred.

Thank you body, for your patience with me, for how hard you try each day, and for working as much as you do. The next glitches we face we will face together, instead of from opposing sides, and when we are fighting on the same side, I’m sure that we will fare better.

Lots of love,

Me.