I was looking through pictures I took over the weekend of Kylie.

As I looked at this one, a stream of thoughts ran through my mind.

Kylie has never been a Lab who likes to fetch a ball or go swimming. She’s okay with walks as long as we don’t go too far. So I suppose one could say she isn’t your “typical” Labrador Retriever.

As I thought about these things, looking into her beautiful brown eyes, I heard, “I am Who I Am.”

I thought, “Yes, you are right Kylie, and I love you just the way you are.”

It also reminded me of a struggle I had for a long time in my life, which I’m happy to say I no longer carry.

But it was one of shame that I never had the maternal instinct to want children.

In a world where motherhood is expected of women (and I’m not knocking it! After all I have a dear mom and without her I wouldn’t be here), I often felt so odd, wondering at times if something was wrong with me.

I know better these days that nothing was ever wrong with me. It’s who I am. And just looking at Kylie and thinking about the way in which she is her own self is a beautiful reminder to be who we all authentically are.

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