Imperfectly Perfect

Wearing a black one-piece bathing suit, the pattern just a simple solid, I make my way to the shoreline,

the unfamiliar feeling of freedom coursing through my veins.

I’m not worrying about how my body looks,

not caring about what others are thinking of me.

I am simply present in the moment.

I feel the heat of the sun on my back, 

the way the soft breeze plays with my hair, 

the feel of the gritty sand between my toes,

and a realization comes to me,

I have finally accepted myself, 

and in doing so I have let go of fear.

The fear of not being good enough. 

The fear of other people’s judgment.  

The fear of MY judgment whenever I faced a mirror.

I’m as vulnerable as I’ll ever be in this bathing suit, 

but I am not hiding, 

I am not covering up.

I am not afraid. 

This is me.

This is who I am. 

Unapologetically,

Imperfectly perfect, me.