If I were to start writing all the writing all the ways that I love Jamie Bagley I would burst into tears and would not be able to finish posting her beautiful words.

I met Jamie when were both in the summer semester of Story Sessions.  It was a beautiful yet trying time as a learned how to let my voice escape from a trapped cage.

Jamie was always the one who encouraged me.  Her comments on my posts, her kind words and now her beautiful letters that come in the mail that I pin right next to mirror; so that I can read them every day.  Mostly it’s her believing for me that I am something worthy of greatness….. When I cannot for myself.

I am above honored that she agreed to be a part of this series.  We had many hilarious conversations about the pictures, what to write, what to use to write and if to possibly be, dare I say it……

Scandalous (collective GASP)

Enter Jamie and her beautiful words

Body of Messages

Sometimes I want to break the mirror

Before it breaks me

With the insults,

The lies,

The disdain

That says I am both

Not enough and too much.

I pursue what it means

To be “just right”

And it doesn’t look like masks

Or tucks

Or running in place for 10000 steps

In hopes the weight will

Melt

Tighten

Cinch

Vanish!

I need to write words to myself- on myself

To let the truth sink in deep,

Embracing it

With my senses.

Perhaps I just need new eyes

To see the beauty

Already there.

To write is enabling me

To erase the conditions I put

On loving the form

That was gifted to me.

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These are the words my soul needs to hear;

The ones that will inform my vision:

“Oh belly, those stretching scars you’ve had

Since you became a mother

Are not at all a shame or waste.

You don’t have to be flat to be a wonder;

Round is the shape of beauty, too.

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It gives you a sense

Of the depth of Creator love

To bear a wounded globe

Beneath your heart;

One whose heaviness

Can make you short of breath.

A Mother’s Love is willing to carry that burden.”

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It is glorious

And empowering

To love the parts of myself

I struggle to accept.

(Even the red-dotted upper arms.)

It is good

And it is holy.

In the eyes of my Father,

I am sacred.

So are you, my friend. So are you.

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Jamie Wright Bagley lives in Willowbrook, IL with her husband and 3 children. She spends her days homeschooling and caring for her free-spirited offspring. She prioritizes family and simple living. She will never ever turn down a good cuppa tea. In stolen time she writes poetry and music, blogs athttp://avanomaly.blogspot.com/ and occasionally hangs out on Twitter @BagsEnd04.

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