Canvas of Motherhood

Hi, I'm Wenna. I have five kids, and my body shows it. You know how life leaves its marks? Well, my body is like a map of the journey I've been on – a journey full of love, hard work, and being a mom. But not everyone sees it that way. Some people look at me and only see what they think are flaws.

Once, at a get-together in the neighborhood or at a gathering with my work mates, I heard people talking about me. Sometimes, they straightforwardly say it in front of me. They were saying I'd gained a lot of weight after having my fifth child. It hurts to hear that. I smiled, but their words stuck with me and the words or voices may not fade away. It felt like they were judging me based on how I looked instead of understanding the amazing things my body had been through.

This kind of body-shaming didn't just happen once. It happens many times in different occasions or situations. Friends who used to be happy for me during pregnancies started saying things about how I looked different now. Even family members asked if I was keeping up with staying fit. It felt like my body, which used to be something to be proud of, was now a place where people judged me for not looking a certain way.

In the quiet moments, when I was alone in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but notice the changes in my body. My stomach had stretch marks that looked like a roadmap. My breasts weren't as perky after breastfeeding five kids. Sometimes, I wished I could just erase these changes. But then, I'd see my children playing and laughing, and I'd remember that these changes were part of the beautiful struggle of being a mom.

Despite all the body-shaming, I decided I needed to take control of my story. I joined a group for moms who had gone through similar things. I made friends who are not moms but also been through body-shaming in their lives. There, I found support and understanding. Instead of focusing on being perfect, we embraced our bodies as signs of strength and love. It was a game-changer.

One day, I walked into a room where people were looking at me with judgment in their eyes. But this time, I stood tall. I wore my post-motherhood body with pride. Instead of avoiding the stares, I faced them. I wanted to challenge the idea that beauty only looks one way. I started seeing beauty as something that tells a story which is a story of a life well-lived. I brought life to another life with my body.

Getting to this point wasn't easy, but it changed everything for me. I realized that my body was more than what others saw. It was a symbol of strength and love. The whispers of society started fading away as I embraced the whispers of my own heart. My body wasn't perfect, but it was a masterpiece in its own way and painted with the vibrant colors of life.

Being a mom had shaped me into someone with a story worth telling. It was a story of making sacrifices, facing challenges, and having a love that knew no bounds. Maybe my body didn't fit what society thought was beautiful, but to me, it was a work of art. My children and family are both a gift from God the almighty. It was a canvas that told the story of my life, and I learned to appreciate it for what it was.

Yours truly,

Wenna - 12.07.2023