Burnt Toast

I recently read Burnt Toast by Teri Hatcher. It is a very enlightening book. Who would have ever guessed that a person as physically attractive as she is would have the same insecurities as I?
There are so many parallels; being uncomfortable in our bodies, not feeling attractive, although, I believe she does admit she knew/knows she is pretty. There have been times in my past when I was told I looked nice or that I was cute but I did not see it. I can look back at photos of myself when I was younger and waaaaaaaayyy thinner and say, Hmmmm, I really did not look that bad, I only wish I had known it then, could have seen the good qualities I had.
Many of Teri's insecurities come from sexual abuse as a child by an uncle, as well as never being told she was good enough by her father. Sometimes she was told she could do better or should do something different. It seems she could never please him. That is one of our parallels, for sure, always needing parental approval. A pat on the head, a kind word that says "I am proud of you" or "you do that really well." Would it have made a difference in my life? I cannot say. I think it could have, but I will never know.
At forty, Teri seems to be on the right track to realizing she is beautiful, not only physically but she has inner beauty as well. (I do wish she would clean up her language, though. Some of the words she elects to use detract from the person, I think, she is).
She portrays herself as a very loving, thoughtful, although not perfect, mother. She seems down to earth and in spite of her fame well grounded at this point in her life.
At fifty-eight, I am still trying to find myself, my talent. I always believed a talent had to be in the arts, I have no talent in that area. I now realize that talents come in other forms, too. You do not have to be an artist, singer, actor, etc., but I still have not been able to find mine or recognize it. I am still looking....
Where does the burnt toast fit into all of this? It is the fact that Teri grew up feeling it is the mother's place to eat the burnt toast because that was what her mother did & give the perfect toast to others. I think the percentage of women take the leftovers and give the best of themselves to their children and/or husband, friends, extended family. I know my mother's focus was on her husband, parents & siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts & uncles, and, at times, her children.