a woman's soul

when I was pregnant I naively thought that I would be the unique hybrid version of the perfect mom-wife-woman addition. like those we see on Pampers TV ads and who are so comfortable wiping other people's babies' butts. but it has been something completely other than that. becoming a mother has enabled me to grow and evolve as a person but definitely not like I had expected. birthing children has developed a profound sense of compassion in me, not only for other mothers, but for the woman condition in general. I hear words such as breast cancer, children custody and single mother and I just know. no, I can't possibly know. but I feel.

I feel the frustration, the anxiety, the doubt, the exhaustion and despair. but I also feel the courage, determination and hope. writing on this blog I have never been prouder to be a woman. we mother. we cure. we save. we juggle with more than two jobs to feed our children. we defend. we teach. we manage to pursue a career and raise happy kids. we love. we love so much. we have flaws and imperfections yet we see astounding beauty when others only see the ordinary. we are emotional. we fall but we always rise up again. eventually, we always triumph.

in my fantasy world  no woman is hurt. they live freely for the joy of giving, loving and dancing. they face no adversity, emotional or physical pain or trials of any kind. and they are never, ever separated from their children. but such world does not exist. and life is difficult. and so unfair. for all of us. but I am stunned. I am amazed. because every minute someone in this world is birthed, healed, loved and blessed. every second a life is reinvented and finds a sense of purpose because of a woman. we are more than we think we are. we can do far more than we think we do. I think God has given us something that drives us even when there's no visible hope. I believe it is a woman's soul.

Comments

[coffeegirl]

I pray to God that one day I have a little girl so I can share this with her. You have put into words what is so impossible to know without experiencing it yourself.

You should really write a book. Wow.

[beth]

I wish more women felt like you do, expressed these feelings like you have. Women need to support each other and I believe you totally get that. You are a beautiful passionate writer and coffeegirl is right, you should write a book!

Thank you for writing this.

[Kathreen]

you put it perfectly, keep writing, I will keep reading.

[Angie]

Your writing touches me so deeply. I find something profound every time I visit.
Thank you.

[carol]

If you're wondering why I haven't written in awhile, it's because I want to be a slice of how profound you can be so often! Your writing is amazing. You have actually made me feel proud to be a woman.

[marian]

wow.. it's soo concise and profound at the same time. i don't know what it is like to be a mom yet, but i FEEL it just by reading your postings.
you really inspire me, irene, and you really make me want to become a mother.

[Susie Sunshine]

Thank you for peeling beyond the layers under the soccer practices, PTO meetings, food preparation, Maybelline foundation, and cotton underwires.

It's a gift to see into the soul with such clarity and precision.

You have it in spades.

[lynneth]

Well written. Somehow in the middle of your words, you have pictured and described the woman I adored most: my mom.

Thank you.

[Auntie M]

It's wonderful to be a woman. Thank you for reminding us all!

[karon]

i second auntie m, thank you for reminding us of just how powerful we -- women -- are. you bring sunshine to my days and i'll keep coming back for me. thanks.

[Antonia]

Exactly. Beautiful.

[true nature]

*thank you* for this irene...xoxo!!