Who would have ever thought that I would be nearly 40, breastless and featuring in an artistic body paint photo shoot? Certainly not me!! It’s funny, when you’re a child you have a fairly clear vision of how your life is going to pan out and then…. it can end up so differently from what you envisaged. And while it’s full of surprises, and things have happened that I could never even imagine possible, it’s utterly crazy to think that I wouldn’t change a thing….
I have come to realise that it’s not about how much money I have or how clever and successful I am. For me, it’s about what I’ve contributed to this world to make it a better place. And it’s probably true that I never always thought like that. I remember the days of having more superficial aspirations, but as many people say, you have to experience life before you realise there’s so much more depth to it. You need to make the mistakes and go through the many hardships life throws at you, to work out how you’d do things differently. I am grateful for the wisdom that comes with age. Because with it can come true happiness and an acceptance that the perfect life you’d imagined for yourself didn’t happen – but this imperfect one can be pretty damn good!!
Last weekend I walked the streets of Sydney in the hope of finding some amazing pieces of clothing to show you here. While I was midway through Myer in Pitt St Mall, I found that I was walking around aimlessly being slapped in the face over and over again by tops and dresses that made a wonderful set of breasts look magnificent. All I could see were darts, darts, darts….anything I fell in love with, was completely breasted.
There I was feeling sorry for myself and I messaged a good friend who always understands what I’m feeling, just to have a bit of a whinge and a meltdown. She reminded me of what I already knew – that those clothing meltdowns happened just as much when I was breasted and still happen daily to everyone in various aspects of their dressing. And she was so right.
In having this conversation back and forth which focused around me and my sook, I found out that my friend was actually going through a really, really tough time in her life. It made me stop and think about what it was that I was whinging about and really how it paled in significance compared to what some other people were going through. Yes, I have some issues regarding my chest, I probably always will. Yes, it is harder to dress than it used to be and yes, I have a right to have a meltdown from time to time. But I need to work on putting it in perspective.
So enough is enough. I then stopped and thought about people like Connie Johnson whose story I have been following since the beginning of Love Your Sister. She is battling day by day to be on this earth and is nearing the end of her journey. She would hear my whinge and think, “Well she’s bloody lucky to have beaten the insidious disease unlike me!!” She would no doubt give anything to be in my position where the only thing she had to worry about was ‘What will I wear!’. I apologise for this lack of perspective and superficiality Connie. I am in awe of you. You are the strongest and bravest fighter I know.
Life is absolutely a rollercoaster. Sometimes we are up and sometimes we are down. The last 5 years for me have been the biggest loops on the rollercoaster. Right now it’s my turn to have the calm, smooth ride – but I know that it will be my turn again at some time in my life to deal with hardship. It’s inevitable.
So while I’m in a good place, it’s my opportunity to be there for others to make an impact on this world and to help other people however I can. I will then truly believe that my time on earth has been worthwhile and meant something to someone.
Being Mother’s Day today, I dedicate this blog to all those mothers out there who have and are battling the big C, breast or not. After all, it’s damn hard to fight a disease and feel like you are doing your job as a mum well. As women we always beat ourselves up over whether we’re adequate. That voice in your head ‘Am I doing enough? Am I doing it well? Am I doing what’s right?’
When something like cancer comes along, it makes us second guess ourselves even more. While kids certainly make this life worth fighting for, it is a gut wrenching feeling contemplating your own mortality when you have the incredibly important job of raising children in front of you. How can you possibly consider checking out of this life and not being there for them? So today take a moment to celebrate motherhood:
Be the mother you want them to remember!
But I could not end this day without mentioning the mothers in my life who have had part in shaping me into the person I am today. My beautiful mum Jenice and my amazing mother-in-law Les have and are always keeping me sane, grounded and on track. My world would be lost without them. I feel blessed to have these amazing mothers as role models in my life.
Mum and I (and gorgeous husband)
Les(far left) & I (and gorgeous Aunty Patty and Aunty Jac)
Today I showcase a top gifted to me by The Capsule Boutique, a business begun by a Brisbane mother with a dream. It’s always great to give a shout out to small businesses and I absolutely love the florals in this top that disguise the flat chest. The Capsule Boutique is looking to expand so watch this space! I’ve accessorised this outfit today with Adorne. The earrings are absolutely beautiful and draw the eye to the face rather than the chest and the gorgeous clutch is the colour of the season in an earthy tone to match most outfits.
Orient Top
Have a wonderful week.
I am breastless and beautiful.
Love, Gen x
Leave Me Breastless 