So I went to the spa with a girlfriend Friday. The first 15 minutes or so are always uncomfortable for me as I don't like showing my naked lumpy body in public.

While getting out of one of the hot tubs explosing my bum to the poor women that were still there I saw two women walking toward me to the hot tub I was leaving. They were in their 50's but had the giggling energy of 20 year olds. With a quick glance I noticed that both of them had large scars where their breasts used to be. I had never seen a post-breast surgery scar, and while I am usually a bit sqeamish about hurtful looking things, these women looked radiant-scars and all. I realized that if these beautiful women whose body had braved such a battle can walk among us comfortably who am I to be so self concience and, dare I say, self absorbed to worry about my body that wasn't "perfect".

Lesson learned. Ladies (and gentlemen), today embrace your inner and outer beauty!

Love it. Definitely something I needed to read!

Thank you for sharing this

That was nice to read

OT - Carissa - You are a doll!

And remember 1 in 7 women run the risk of developing breast cancer.

I had a breast cancer scare about a week before my wedding. A month after the wedding, I was in surgery having a tumor removed from my right breast. It was luckily benign (scar tissue from an old car accident, which the doctor had guessed, but we weren't sure).

It left a small scar, but it's not noticeable until I lay on my back, then the right breast has a very noticeable indentation from the surgery so the breast isn't rounded, it's shaped sort of like a volcano, with the nipple and areola settled in the little hollow.

I was a bit self-conscious with my husband at first, even though I know he didn't marry me for my appearance (we were both at nearly our highest weights when we married), but it looked "weird" and I was afraid it would weird him out.

He's such a sweet romantic though, and says the scarred breast is his "favorite," because it reminds him of the relief he felt at knowing I didn't have breast cancer, and reminds him to be thankful to have me with him.

We sometimes call physically beautiful things awe-inspiring, but none hold a candle to the beauty of the soul.

So true. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for sharing this.

Wiimom, great post, thank you.

KaplodsYour husband is so sweet! I love the "favorite" sentiment.

That was wonderful to read. Sadly, almost everyone I know has known someone with breast cancer.

It's a nice reminder that confidence can pour through no matter your appearance.

So inspirational! thankyou for posting.

And how appropriate in October, being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Do your self checks, chickies. And get yourselves up to date with your mammograms, those of you of "appropriate" age (i.e. old enough, like me!)

Your relatives and friends will thank you for it.

i know this isnt the point of your post, but i love scars. not only do i think they look interesting, but each one is a symbol of life, and what we've been through. i even like my stretch marks. they are my battle scars from growing a human life inside me, that turned into my beautiful son. it reminds me that God blessed me with a child and also with a safe place inside me for a child to grow. we need to embrace our imperfections.

I absolutely agree, Julia! I have a massive scar on one arm from having a melanoma removed. It looks bad, but now I wear sleeveless tops and singlets without being self-conscious (no, not in the sun!). I call it my survivor scar. Because if it wasn't here, I wouldn't be.