Dear Body,

Hey there! It's me. You know, the brain that lives inside you? The soul that lays within these hallowed walls, tissues, and muscles? Well, I'm here. You may not see me as you go about sending your signals and going about your daily business, but it is high time that changed. I have a lot to say to you. Some good, some bad, and some very, very ugly.

I love you, Body. You help me move from place to place. You give me the ability to see, to hear, to speak, and to think. You have blessed me with a brain that functions and provided me with so many wonderful gifts. I would not be the person I am today, nor have had the experiences that I have if it had not been for my brain.

You are aesthetically beautiful in every way. I love that you are stunning, and I revel in the gloriousness of your creamy skin, and the figure that you are fortunate by society's standards to maintain. I am in awe of the hair you grow on your head. Each strand the color of dark chocolate as it flows throughout your luscious locks. I truly believe that it is one of the best heads of hair on the planet.

I thank you for giving me strength to be mobile. To grant me the endurance to travel for distances at a time.

But Body, unfortunately, while I may find you to be perfect in your imperfection, unfortunately not everyone does. And for that, I want to apologize. I'm sorry that there are people in this world that want to make you feel bad about who you are. I'm sorry that the wonderful head of hair you possess translates to other body parts where it may not be as popular. And most of all, I am sorry that society thinks it should have the ability to regulate how you look and what is and is not considered beautiful.

There is another very important talk that we just have to have. I have internalized it for so long, and now it is time to face you head on with my concerns. I absolutely hate that you have put me in a position that causes me to appear to be fully able-bodied. The way you have let chronic illness come into my life astounds me on a daily basis. I try to take care of you the best I can. Why do you refuse to take care of me? I have taken you to doctors. I try to give you the rest and fuel you need to thrive, but in return, you put me in a place of misery where I merely want to survive.

Why do you do this to me? I know I should feel lucky that others cannot always see what you are doing to me, but instead I am so frustrated. It is too easy for them to forget how you function, and that I am stuck in this constant state of eternal struggle.

So Body, I love you. And I just want you to love me the same way. Stay strong.

Love,

Jessica