I read, “and in the end, all I learned was how to be strong alone.”
I disagree.
In the end, I have learned that living a kind and authentic life earns you connections with good people with big hearts who are willing to catch and hold you when you fall.
Strength cannot exist without vulnerability. You only have to be alone if you choose to shut the world out.
Be willing to be vulnerable. Be willing to ask for help. Be more willing to receive help. Build a loving village.
You don’t have to be alone to be strong. Being alone is a choice, not a consequence.
Dear sister I see you How your heart is bleeding How your soul is aching You are transforming Becoming so much more Than you imagined you were or could be You are becoming a diamond Under all of the pressure One worthy to be the center piece Of your own glorious crown I can't wait to see how you shine
Thank you all for being my angels My bowling lane bumper guards My Jiminy Crickets My chorus of friends and family Who say the things I have had so much trouble saying to myself For constantly reminding me that the children and I Demand, command, and deserve To be held most valuable For reminding me that no matter how terrible I feel about what I am doing That there is a greater good that I must serve That of the wellbeing of my family of three growing souls and one old, weary one “I love you,” is hardly powerful enough “I’m grateful,” is impotent in its ability to deliver the depth Of what I feel for what you are doing for me and my children You have filled the many holes in me with light and love and patience and grace This journey hasn’t drowned me because you have pulled my head from beneath the water Gently reminding me to breathe until I can remember how to float again I know I wouldn’t be at this place Walking forward one painful step at a time without all of you Picking me up and cheering me on
It's easy for me to imagine how you might be rolling through all kinds of emotions. I'll hold space for you. I'll sit with you in the quiet of your storms. I'll be your safety whether you're overwhelmed or just contemplative. I've sat with you through hard things before, and I will do it again.
-gws