to the woman I once was, who I am, and who I will be...

Today commences the celebration of Women’s History month.

I don’t exactly know how to say all that I want to say, but I’m going to give it a try.

TO THE WOMAN I ONCE WAS:

Thank you for the lessons, the losses, the tools that you’ve given me to live. I need to apologize for squandering some of my youth on fairytales…believing that life could be some sort of magical journey without pain, without loss, and without support. You taught me that there’s beauty in brokenness and how words truly can shape the world around you. Thank you for each lesson, I’ll be sure to pay it forward.

TO THE WOMAN I AM:

Thank you for being so resilient. Who would have known that you wouldn’t have buckled underneath all of that pressure? Who would’ve known that you would’ve found true beauty amidst the rubble. Thank you for remaining soft, tender, and open. Thank you for allowing me to fail. Thank you for teaching me to have grace for myself FIRST, before I can have it for anyone else, thanks for teaching me self-care. Thanks for teaching me to walk away from paths that don’t serve my best interest. Thank you for teaching me that love is just ONE part of the puzzle; in order to build a future with someone, you need to tap into purpose and destiny. Thank you for teaching me also that love is a choice. Thank you that it is a gift I will always give without regard to who returns it. Thank you for teaching me the power in silence. In my younger days I HAD to have the last word, but now, I understand that there are many words spoken in silence. Thank you for teaching me to own and to be gentle with me, my flaws, my failures, my setbacks, my unrequited pain, my insecurities. Thank you for these lessons because they are building such a beautiful life.

TO THE WOMAN THAT I WILL BE:

I pray that it all makes sense. I pray that the words you spoke yesterday laid the supernatural foundation for the literal world of peace that you now live in. I pray that every tear you cried yesterday have watered the seeds of crazy faith that you now walk in. I pray that you genuinely smile often. I pray that you spend more days doubled over in laughter than in sorrow. I pray that your children will rise and call you blessed. I pray that you never feel alone in your heart. I pray that you stay soft, open, and vulnerable. I pray that your smile continues to radiate like 1,000 suns. I pray that your pain finally pushed you into a place of purpose. I pray that you truly believe how unique you are and how intoxicatingly wonderful your Spirit is. I pray that the thick arms you now rest in are one of unfailing love, unending support, solid trust, committed to understanding you, faithfulness, fun, partnership, forgiveness, that GOOD GOOD love, and peace. I pray that your residence is not just a dwelling, but a place of peace. I pray that someone finds the “home” that you are. I pray that you are always protected, spoken for, appreciated, provided for, nurtured, and made to feel safe and loved in word and in deed; both publicly and privately.

To every woman who remembers their yesterday, is living their now, and hopes towards a better tomorrow…Happy Women’s History month.

You are courageous.

You are brave.

You are tenacious.

You are true.

You are love.

You are peace…and you are powerful beyond measure.