hey, look up, my face is up here ^

Okay, I already know that I happen to have a larger chest.

I've known this since I was in 5th grade.

Sometimes I wear really baggy stuff so that it is not so noticeable.

Sometimes, I just throw on some clothes and it seems to be okay, then I get to work, or the store, or out anywhere and instead of looking at my eyes, people talk to my chest. Not just men, women included.

So, out comes the digital camera, just to see what it is that everyone is looking at:
I don't get it. Not like I am some kind of Victoria's Secret or Playboy girl with perfectly plastic breasts. These are the breasts of a woman that is 39, nursed three kids, and is pretty comfortable with herself. That doesn't necessarily want all the attention to be here, but is sick of wearing loose baggy clothing that makes me look like a farm woman from the 1800's.
So, look. I have breasts. I wear a bra all the time, even to bed, because I read long ago that Marilyn Monroe did that, that she swore by it...and I am fearful of having National Geographic breasts that hang low. So, is that vain? Probably. Does it work? Seems to have worked so far, they aren't too bad if I say so myself. Do I want to have people looking at my chest?

no.

What I would like them to do, is to ask me about this necklace.

I used to alternate wearing these pendants on a thin silver chain. Then one day, I decided to put them all on at one time and that is how they have stayed. They jingle jangle around, when I am nervous I play with them, when I am bored I finger them. 1. The center is a cross- not a crucifix, but a lovely, swirly cross. It reminds me that my faith is pure and beautiful. 2. Underneath it is a heart locket, with three flowers on it. It represents my heart, my love, my three children. 3. The final is a handmade pendant that I got for my birthday a few years ago from my daughter, a handblown clear bead with taupe and white polka dots and a lovely spiral. This represents my creativity and sense of humor. This necklace is what I want people to look at, to ask me about, to notice.

So, why do people look at breasts? They are there to nourish children, and really that is their only real function. They are sensual, and very pleasurable to the touch, which makes them sexual. Does that make people look because they are exhibiting a primal urge to be an infant again, or to procreate? Advertising studies have found that the female body enhances ads for both sexes of all ages, as it is intrinsically pleasing to the eye.

There is so much in the media this month for breast cancer awareness. If your read Louise Hay, that somehow we will ourselves to be ill and to have certain diseases...what does that say about the proliferance of breast culture in our country? Is it that we have more toxins over here, or is it that we as women are somehow not comfortable with our breasts, harbor conflicted feelings about our feminity, ourselves, our sexuality? Our very essence of what protrudes from our body, as our sex organs are hidden and protected.... our breasts are out there for view. Or to hide.

I kinda think we need to celebrate our bodies, breasts included. I am glad that mine were able to nourish my kids, and that they were healthy babies because of them. I used to be shy about them, but now I can just accept. I like 'em.