Wow you guys!

I had an amazing day yesterday sitting back and reading your comments.

My readers are witty, smart and funny; they are great cooks, great moms and grandmas, and amazingly loyal friends.

They laugh loudly and proudly.
They are proud of their beautiful eyes, their rockin' bods, and their shiny hair; their dimples, eyelashes, profiles and noses.
They love their skin, their legs and their amazing asses.
'Fessing up to your patience, smarts, and talent are just as important as being able to admit that you have nice boobs, and sexy full lips; but still so many of us have a tough time.
One thing really surprised me about all this, and I want to take a minute to talk about it.

Most of the comments were left by women I know in their late 20's and early 30's; women I know who are in fact, gorgeous, funny women with beautiful children or without, wicked senses of humor, loyal, compassionate, witty, intelligent... I could go on but I don't need to. What struck me about all of you amazing women is that most of us share that feeling that we aren't all those amazing things, or at least, we can't admit to it. Sadly, I was not surprised that it was so hard for most of us to find things to be unabashedly proud of; that's what inspired me to write Wednesdays post in the first place.

No, what I was surprised by were two comments left by Kate's mom Liz and my new mom Jenna. Liz and Jenna's comments were both without that struggle. They know what they love about themselves, and they weren't afraid to say it. They weren't held back by that misguided impulse to downplay what makes them feel amazing. I'd like to think that means that one day we won't be so hard on ourselves anymore. That one day we'll appreciate ourselves and be as kind to ourselves as are friends are to us.

And finally, if you'll indulge me just a bit longer, I believe that one day we'll look back and wonder why we tortured ourselves for so long. Why we struggled and fought and tried for so long to squash those little voices inside telling us that yes, we are beautiful, and smart and that there isn't anything wrong with that.