On my birthday morning
I somehow felt
my mental illness is a blessing.

I wanted to hide it
while I was young.

I had a prejudice against it,
my mental illness.

When I had a breast cancer
I cherished it with gratitude
as it was not neccessary to hide it.

I can now cherish
my mental illness as well
as my own.

How wonderful
to be able to accept myself
as I am!

It might be a blessing
to accept and love oneself
as we are,
not so easy while we are young.

(January 23, 2023)