I have three daughters. They are each different. Different than me and from each other. Different personalities and talents. Differently-shaped bodies. 

I have struggled very much with the body I was given. I have loved it, hated it, and abused it. I have coveted that I was given a short torso, full legs and a lumpy tummy. Now that I have birthed five children I have wider hips. 

Watching my children, I can't help but compare them. Not in a bad way, but side-by-side comparing one against another. One is more coordinated than the others, one is more graceful. One is stronger. One is a fast runner. One is very small for her age. Another is on the trajectory to be big for her age. The one who is big for her age (compared to my children who are small for their age)...my heart hurts for her. Will she be made fun of? Will she feel ashamed that she weighs as much as her big brother? Will she feel less-than because she has a round tummy and strong, capable legs? 

She doesn't feel those things (that I know of) right now. I feel those things for her, because that was my experience. 

I was less-than because of my size. I was ashamed because I was bigger than the boys on my soccer team. I was embarassed because I needed my dance costume altered. I was embarassed by my round tummy, early chest development and double chin. 

It's so easy to be critical of my daughter, because that's how my size was responded to. But they are all perfect, the way God made them. I eventually grew taller and leaned out. By middle school I was "normal". But I had taken on the identity of the "fat kid" and still felt different. Other. Less-than.

I am not that person, regardless of my form and I will not let my baby girl be that person, regardless of her form.