A Bedtime Story for You and Your Body
By Molly Patrick
Feb 5, 2022,
Your precious body allows you to have a human experience.
It is how you are able to move through this world.
It is your gracious, patient, accommodating host, and you are its guest.
From birth until death it is your companion.
Sleeping, walking, breathing, bathing, crying, cooking, eating, peeing, reading, creating.
Your body is there with you.
It holds all your secrets. It shares your stories.
It looks different now than it used to, how could it not?
Sun, wind, babies, rain, loss, fights, trauma, scars, food, habits, pain, typing, airplanes, babies that were not meant to be, lovers, viruses, war, time, celebrations, illness, diets. The collective imprint of life.
And yet, it is still here, moving you through it all.
A little worn around the edges. Weathered from the storms. A bit more tired than in the beginning, but so much wiser from all the planetary spinning.
Your body will not last forever, we have just the one. No chance for an exchange and no line for refunds. You have what you were so graciously given by the powers that be, do you know this is a rarity?
Later this evening when the sun goes down and your day is done. When the loose ends are stowed away and the messy bits no longer at play.
Pause.
And take a moment to marvel at your body, just as it is. With as much awe and wonder as you have for the full moon in the night sky. Your body is just as stunning and sublime.
Tenderly caress the areas that have been gently kissed by time.
Acknowledge its power. Love it unconditionally.
Bathe in its brilliance comfortably.
The most important relationship you will ever have, your one true love.
For you would not be here, experiencing this life without it.
Xo
Molly
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just beautiful… I’m so sorry about your sweet cousin… sending you and marc warm, loving hugs xo
Thank you so much.
xo
Molly
Yesterday, as I was driving home from volunteering, a car ran a red light without pausing. I smashed into the side of it at full speed, having no time to break. Both cars are totaled, but the other drive and I both walked away.
Today I am sore, swollen, and grateful for no broken bones or permanent damage to this one and only body. It could have played out so differently.
Your blog was perfect for me today, and I thank you, Molly. For this blog. And introducing me to the wonderful world of gloriously delightful plant-based eating three years ago. My only regret is that I didn’t find out how to be a dirty girl sooner.
So sorry about your cousin, Marc. I’m sure that he can feel your love still.
Oh my goodness, I am so glad you are okay.
Life is so fragile.
Thank you for sharing this with me, I’m so happy to have you in our community.
xo
Molly
This has been a tremendous year of loss and grief. Thank you for all you do as we navigate these challenging times together. 💗
We do this together, that’s the deal.
xo
Molly
Love and light to you and Marc and your family….
💕☀️💕
Thank you so much.
xo
Molly
That was the most beautiful thing I’ve read in a very, very long time.
Thank you!!!
Thank you so much, Marybeth.
What a huge compliment.
xo
Molly
Good Morning Molly~ I’m so sorry for your loss as you grieve your Cousin Marc.
I sent you an Email & received a lovely response from Stephanie Campbell. Please know we are all sending healing ❤️🩹 thoughts your way today.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Launch 🚀 Party on 2/11/2022. Blessings 💜
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Celeste, that means so much.
See you next Friday.
xo
Molly
💜
Thank you for those beautiful words. My deepest condolences for your loss❤️
this made me cry. thank you Molly. and my sympathy.
Wonderfully said, Molly…thank you for sharing!
Sending you so much love and compassion. This was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you for allowing your gift of words to grace others and thank you for sharing the beautiful foods you enjoy.
Beautiful…. So sorry for your loss.
You are wise beyond your years, my friend. ❣️
My condolences for your loss of your cousin Marc Molly.
Your expression about our bodies is the most direct, succinct, spiritual, and real writing I’ve yet experienced.
Thank you for having the courage and love to share this and yourself with all of us.
Sharing in your grace…
Thank you, Tyge – that means so much.
It is my joy to share my writing with you.
xo
Molly
Mahalo nui loa, Sweet Soul Sister.
You words were EXACTLY what I need right now, as I, too, navigate grief.
I am soooo excited about Your New Big THING!
XOXO
Mahalo my friend.
xo
Molly
Molly
This was such as beautiful read. Just what I needed to hear today, thanks for all you do for this group and the universe.
XOXOXOXO
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Cathi.
xo
Molly
What a beautiful bed time story. It means so much to me at this time. Thank you. 💓
You are most welcome.
xo
Molly
Awesome and thank you so much for sharing; touched my heart. Blessings🙏
So glad it found you.
xo
Molly
Beautifully written, Molly. I’m so sorry to hear of Marc’s death. I’m hoping he feels your love.
Thank you for this Molly, it was so timely for me.
I have been very ill the last 48 hours with an aggressive flu, and unble to even keep down sips of water.
This morning I awoke feeling ravished by time as well as the flu. I looked in the mirror and instead of seeing an old sick woman I saw a survivor of this and many past impacts on my body.
After reading your story I can look in the mirror now and thank my dear body for winning another battle.
Holding you close in heart for the loss of your cousin. May his memory be a blessing.
Thank you for sharing, Jessica.
Feel better soon.
xo
Molly
Thank you, Moll. I believe Marc’s body is finally at rest. I say finally with the utmost respect for his life. His body endured battering, both physical and emotional, for many years. Decades actually. Talk about a strong body….until it wasn’t. As we grieve the loss of our cousin, I wish he could have loved his body more. He is blessed by your words and your love as he moves through the Great Mystery. I love you, Moll.
Agreed. I love you too.
xo
Oh my goodness, Molly. That really took my breath away. I spend so much time at war with my body. Disliking it. Mad at it. Your poem has me shook. I will definitely try to view it with more wonder.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
I just in finished reading “The Least of Us” by Sam Quinones which left me with such sympathy for addicts that their stories of struggle, recovery, and death moved me to tears many times. Especially moving are the many people stepping up to help, like your mom. After a struggle like his, there is nothing left but unconditional love, which has been there all along. My cousin Craig took his own life last September, not addiction related but clearly after some deep internal struggle that he couldn’t share with me. We were the closest of a large, extended family and saw each other whenever we could, so his loss is all the worse. We all have demons – our cousins are not alone – and unconditional love is the only response. Thank you for sharing the ups and downs of your life. Your vulnerability and inner light are an inspiration that moves the world.
Molly,
Your stories and words always deeply touch my soul. So very sorry for the loss of your cousin. Sending love and healing thoughts for you and your family.