Dear Montana

I wrote this for Montana 2 years ago in response to a presentation my sister shared about "body love".  I just found it and it is an excellent reminder for me and my relationship with food and my body... 


Montana,

May the love that you have for yourself now continue through your teen years (and beyond). I pray that adolescence and our looks-focused society does not rob that from you. May you resist "fat talk" when peers start using it heavily. It's like cursing, it will not be allowed in our house. Eating and exercise are activities that I hope you will thoroughly enjoy, and the true delight that comes from them won't be laden with guilt and shame. I pray that you will love and accept others, regardless of where their food and body journey has taken them. May we have a healthy relationship to food and our bodies in our home and may we spread that to those we interact with. Let's be part of the change that's so desperately needed!

All of my love,
Mom