I am Enough from Myriam Joseph Loeschen

I am Enough from Myriam Joseph Loeschen

Image by Katherine Center

 

Hello,

It’s been quite some time since I have written you a love letter. In my first attempt, I drafted a letter full of apologies and regrets. I gave it my best effort, taking my time to detail the different choices I should have made and the opportunities I missed. I read it and reread it but it did not sit well to me. I realize that when I have written love letters in the past, I have written about the many wonderful ways in which my lover’s charms have affected my life. I write about the generosity of spirit my love shares with me and I write about the ways in which a simple glance from my love can make my heart sing.

And then there comes you, my truest of true loves. Can it be that at 40 I am just realizing that you have been here all along? Can it be that after years of searching, reaching and longing, you sat quietly in my heart waiting until I recognized that everything I needed was within me. Thank you for staying true, thank you for staying with me, thank you for knowing that eventually I would come around.

As you know, it hasn’t been easy, being bombarded with images and ideals that don’t reflect you. It hasn’t been easy navigating my way in a world were skinny thighs and designer anything hold the key. I’ve battled my way through, bulimia, bigotry and blond ambition and all along, there you were. I have shed many a tear on partners who supported my notion of being undeserving.  Only in moments of despair have I turned to you and asked for your help and welcomed your kindness.

Your tender resolve to stay with me steadfast and committed has brought me to this secure place. A constant whisper among the crowd, reminding me that I too am important, that I too am worthy.

Just now I have begun to fall in love with the magnificent possibilities within myself. Just now, I begin to embrace the light that has been guiding my way for all these years. Thank you for revealing to me just how powerful and divine I am. What greater love could a woman want than one in which she is welcomed and forgiven time and again?

Imagine my surprise when I realized, you have been the one I have been waiting for all along.

………..

About Myriam Joseph Loeschen

I am so giddy about having my dear friend Myriam here, I wanted to write about her from my perspective:

Ah, lovely Myriam. Daughter, sister, wife and friend. Giver of kindness and compassion, creater of a million beautiful things, and makerof the kind of food that nourishes both body and soul. You can read about her recent labor of love at Joy for Haiti.

 

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28 Comments
  • Karen/Chookooloonks
    Posted at 18:06h, 20 April Reply

    Dear Lord in heaven, how I think the world of this woman.

  • Jen Lee
    Posted at 18:41h, 20 April Reply

    Myriam Joseph, I love you so.

  • Kristi Lewis Rosales
    Posted at 19:16h, 20 April Reply

    Myriam, as always…breathtaking.

  • Sheri
    Posted at 19:26h, 20 April Reply

    Oh, Myriam, YESSSSS! And thank you.

  • Chris
    Posted at 19:37h, 20 April Reply

    Oh my dear Myriam, even though I’ve only been in your company on a few fantastic occasions, it was enough to leave me wanting more of you. You are a gift from the universe. I just love you to pieces, my friend. I really, truly do.

  • amy
    Posted at 21:06h, 20 April Reply

    of course you would speak these truths today, sweet myriam. i adore you beyond words.

  • mati rose
    Posted at 22:16h, 20 April Reply

    i love you myriam!

  • kellyrae
    Posted at 01:36h, 21 April Reply

    myriam, you are a born writer. it’s in you and it makes me so happy to read these words.
    xxoo

  • Deb
    Posted at 01:46h, 21 April Reply

    How amazing would the world be if we could all feel this way about ourselves!!! Beautiful!

  • Annette
    Posted at 02:47h, 21 April Reply

    Myriam, you are an inspiration!
    Such a work of beauty…and a nice letter, too đŸ˜‰
    Thanks Tracey

  • liz elayne
    Posted at 03:20h, 21 April Reply

    yes yes yes
    these words are beautiful and brave and full of such truth.

  • camerashymomma
    Posted at 03:28h, 21 April Reply

    oh my myriam. you take my breath away and leave me instead with love. what a gift you are.
    xo

  • tracy
    Posted at 04:49h, 21 April Reply

    oh, what sweet words, so much love! myriam, thank you for sharing your love with all of us!!! i feel blessed! thank you tracey for sharing her too!

  • Ali
    Posted at 05:41h, 21 April Reply

    M…you are amazing. Thank you for sharing yourself here.

  • BrenĂ©
    Posted at 13:43h, 21 April Reply

    Your courage makes my heart sing!

  • Dave Ring
    Posted at 13:48h, 21 April Reply

    Welcome to the club that loves you.

  • traceyclark
    Posted at 14:11h, 21 April Reply

    indeed!!!! perfect comment dave! thank you for that….really well said! : )

  • katherine center
    Posted at 15:22h, 21 April Reply

    Oh, how I ADORE you, Myriam! You really are magical.

  • Sandra
    Posted at 15:36h, 21 April Reply

    Lovely. It really can be a hard thing to navigate all the landmines waiting to explode our sense of self-love… but what a treasure to be found if we do. It’s inspiring to hear how you’ve done that.

  • kolleen
    Posted at 15:38h, 21 April Reply

    gor-juss soul

  • Mindy
    Posted at 19:24h, 21 April Reply

    what a beautiful love letter to yourself. we should all write one of these and tuck it away for those rainy days. really lovely.

  • Ang
    Posted at 21:20h, 21 April Reply

    just beautiful.

  • Jessica New
    Posted at 22:28h, 22 April Reply

    As I read this TEARS flow down my cheek.
    Some Sad, Some Happy, But ALL filled with HOPE.

    At 33 I struggle with the notion of truly, madly deeply loving myself as your letter so eloquently reminds me that I should.
    You are amazing writer & an inspiration to those of us who are still coming around to the idea…

    THANK YOU for this LOVE Letter.
    THANK YOU for being an AMAZING WOMAN.

  • Nancy New
    Posted at 00:14h, 23 April Reply

    I cried….and cried. As a 61 (almost 62) year old woman the love letter from Myriam really touched my deepest self. I have dealt with body issues forever. I realize that this body has been through a bunch of stuff, tolerated even more and had experiences of so many ups and downs it makes the stock market look like the teeter totter at the corner park. I really do love me…kinda.. always wanting to improve.. but you know WHAT?? I am enough..thanks TJ.. love ,,your step-mom ( I do not like that title)..aka Earth ama,Nancy

  • soraya nulliah
    Posted at 13:50h, 27 April Reply

    Dear Miriam-thank you so much for sharing this heartfelt letter to yourSELF. There is beauty and poignancy, magic and mystery in the path to self love-thank you for this:) And thanks Tracey for sharing this with us too.

  • valerie
    Posted at 18:23h, 30 April Reply

    dear miriam, i saw and saved this image in my journal when it was first posted because i recognized myself in the words written upon skin like mine. i am often inspired by the words and images of so many incredible people online but as a woman of color, i am always seeking other voices that reflect me. today i saw myself reflected and i am filled with gratitude. thank you!

  • Alex
    Posted at 01:03h, 03 May Reply

    What an incredible writer and woman you are! Love you xo

  • Kathy
    Posted at 09:33h, 04 May Reply

    What an amazing letter? Why is it we spend so much of our lives searching for something outside of our selves and then only some of us figure out the love we really need is within us! I have a 4 year old daughter and my greatest concern about providing for her is that I would somehow be able to teach her to love herself. When I worry we don’t have the money for dance class and soccor, dresses and the latest toys or even college, I try to remember that if I can teach her that everything she really needs is inside herself then all the other stuff is not so important. Of course then i worry about how I teach her this when it took me 30 years to figure it out!

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