Oh The Places I'll Go....

Though I am a woman –
I am smarter than you give me credit for.
I read, I write and I listen.
I observe and contemplate.
I research and dig for truth.
I am opinionated and bold.
I am informed.
I am aware.
Though I am a woman.

Though I am thin –
I am obsessed with my body.
I study myself and critique my imperfections.
I wonder if I’ll ever be satisfied.
I hide myself in baggy clothes that feel safe.
I obsess with what I have and haven’t eaten.
I can never run or work-out enough.
I fight the demons in my mind and memory.
I wish my body were different.
I wish I were stronger.
I wish I could find peace.
Though I am thin.

Though I am a mother –
I have a mind that is engaged.
I see a world beyond my four walls.
I am made up of layers that you have never seen.
I hold onto dreams that are not fulfilled.
I want to believe in my value and worth.
I work hard and am creative.
I know I am often wrong.
I fear I am failing.
I fear I am not enough.
I fear the future.
Though I am a mother.

Though I follow God –
I am not a right-wing fundamentalist.
I can see the world through someone elses eyes.
I don’t always know what I believe.
I have ideas that don’t always fit.
I color outside the lines.
I believe that faith can exist outside the church.
I respect the thoughts of others.
I want to live like Jesus.
I think that doubt is not the enemy.
I embrace ritual, tradition, and story.
I choose to love my neighbor.
I choose to keep walking.
I choose to have hope.
As I follow God.

This amazing poem was written by a lady named Karla for a lady named Joyce. It was written perhaps to cheer up the lady named Joyce, but what, in fact, it did was forced a lady named Sherri, that's moi, to reflect on the bigger picture of what it is to be a Mom.
The facets of every woman's lives are immeasurable and each one has its merit. Throughout my life I have taken different roles, some by choice, others by chance, and I want to think that I am handling them all the best I can. With each role comes responsibility and commitment, expectation and opinion, from myself, those I love and those I haven't come to know.

Parenting is a priority... and how could it not. I adore that I have been blessed with great, healthy kids. They are my everything. I will be the first to admit that my role as a Mom has really overshadowed my thoughts about how my other roles work into the equation. Being a stay-at-home Mom hasn't got me engaged in corporate public relations or coffee break chats. I miss being an employee with non- child related responsibilities, 40 hour a week schedules and deadlines that have you working in your sleep. I remember being a dedicated employee, I had good work ethic, I was great to work for and with, and I paid attention to detail( I am a Virgo after all). Sometimes it feels like something is missing.

As I am writing this I see that perhaps not a lot has changed. I still possess these magnificent qualities... I have had to adapt them to being at home with my kids however. And I won't be home forever. As soon as Tao is in school I'll be looking for work!! Oh the places I'll go.....
I am a woman. I have multiple roles that don't define me. I am valued in each role but my value as a woman doesn't change as my roles change. This poem isn't strictly about motherhood but for me... this is the place that I am concentrated right now.


Nice.... isn't it. What does it do for you?