I am because we are
I Am because We Are - Anita Barahona
We are the women of the world
We are the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, wives
We are the teachers, facilitators, the nurturers
The farmers, gatherers, warrior protectors of our loved ones
We are them that hold the spaces, hold the stories - pass them on
We are the healers, the ones who guide with wisdom and experience
We are resourceful and resilient, fierce and devoted
We are believers in the spirit of peace and unity
The ones who build community
We are creators, birthing life and ideas into existence
We persevere, moving through the struggles and obstacles
Like light in darkness piercing through to light the way
Seers, looking past the ugliness and bringing forth the beauty
Seeing beyond the moment
Finding meaning in brokenness and worth in the unvalued.
We are voices calling out the gifts in those around us
Celebrating with rejoicers
Grieving with the mourners
Calling out for justice, speaking out for truth
We are the singers of the everlasting song
The song that says we all belong
-to each other -
There is no you with out me, no me without you
Together we are, together we are strong, a force to be reckoned with
We are power we are grace, we are women.
We are the women of the world
Generous, providers, way makers, chance takers
Filling life with dance and laughter, love, acceptance and integration
Like Mother Earth we hold all of life with the intention and hope in the purpose of interconnection,
I am because we are.
“I am because we are” - Watercolor by Anita Barahona (stylized photo)
Happy International Women’s Day.
To all the ones on whose shoulders I stand. ❤️
These are some of the women I admire, women who befriended me, who have held me up when I was weak, who guided me in dark times, showed me new ways of thinking, opened my eyes to more. They sat with me, they walked with me, in my very transient life - they grounded me.
Women who cheered me on, who are soft, who are strong - women who have fallen and gotten back up - countless times; who were thrown curve balls at, who overcame obstacles, women who got dealt tough blows, who did not crumble - who did not lay down to die - no these women have taken deep breaths have stood up, dusted themselves off, wiped away their tears straightened up their crowns and took the next step forward.
These are some of the women who whether short term or long term gifted me with light on my journey. Women I learned from, felt safe enough to rest with when I was weary, who fed and housed me either physically or spiritually.
These are women who sparked my inner knowing, helped me claim my spirit, who taught me to forgive - because they understood forgiveness would set me free, women who encouraged me, challenged me, held me to a higher standard. They are women I have learned from, walked with and loved for who they are, rough edges and all.
In current day we may no longer see things the same way - our life experiences have placed different lenses before us, but that does not change the fact that somewhere on our journey where we intersected - we connected, we saw each other, we learned something, we experienced growth.
I honor these who walked many paths before me, who shared their wisdom with me, who offered me sanctuary. I stand here today, grateful, never alone, knowing that whatever distance separates us, I belong to this tribe of kickass women.
