What Do Women Hold?

[Maggie Trela]

I hold the grief of my health, the inconsistencies of my body (it's never something I can count on).

I hold my favorite coffee mug, the most normal part of my day before it inevitably spins out of control.

I hold my giant mason jar of water.

I hold the stories from my childhood, my youth, that don't ever feel as distant as I'd like them to be.

I hold my secrets, and the ones I want to bury.

I hold versions of another life, in the city, in the country, in the old red barn with the man wearing the silver necklace.

I hold this life, in the sun, in the heat, in the humidity and horrors of the south.

I hold the sand, the saltwater, the feeling that everything really will be okay.

I hold my son's hand as he pulls me around the house. I hold the book he wants me to read.

I hold my best friend's sanity, her calm in the storm of motherhood.

I hold my mother's hopes and dreams. I hold the life she dreamt of having and never had (I am the mother she never had).

I hold my father's doubts and anxieties. I hold his deep breaths so he can come back to life.

I hold onto my husband's waist, wrapping my arms around him so tight. I hold onto a life with him I don't think I deserve.

I hold myself, as often as I can bring myself to. I hold on so hard—don't let go.

I hold my heavy heart, knowing that tomorrow there will be a new beginning.

[Nicole Ashley]

I hold my baby girl under my arm while she naps and my phone in the other to type this out

I hold in my pee so she can sleep a little while longer (tmi sorry not sorry).

I hold my husband's stress over finding a job and my own longing for stability.

I hold my maiden self tenderly while she slowly disappears in the rear view mirror.

I hold my sweet cat who also grieves for that silent home before babe.

I hold my mama friends who are with me in this new season of life.

I hold anxiety, fatigue, sore muscles and aches, and I hold peace, patience and a love for this little soul like I've never felt before.

*I really enjoyed today's letter, thank you Alex ❤️

[sarah leslie]

This is so beautiful. Thank you. Been thinking about Kalman a lot too after seeing that same video essay paired with her words. It’s night where I live so I’m gonna save the prompt for tomorrow and think of all the women in the world and our shared beingness in holding things. <3

[Christine Morrison]

I have loved this video as it makes the rounds — I am touched every time. I have very little time to develop my thoughts, but here goes:

I hold my twin boys' hearts, protecting them from a chaotic world filled with injustice.

I hold my husband's hand, as our connection brings me peace and unconditional love, something I never thought I would find.

I hold my dreams high, as they are lofty but deserve to be fulfilled — I am more than meets the eye.

I hold my puppy's paw for she is a calming force when life is a tsunami.

I hold my fears, grudges and frustrations but release them in the wild so that they are not burdens.