I am WOMAN.

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I was asked the other day ‘Toya, what does it feel like to be a woman?’

This question did catch me off guard for a while, but it made me think too. What is it to be a woman? What does it feel like?

As part of my answer, I responded with a Maya Angelou quote and stated ‘Most times, when I walk, I feel like I have diamonds at the meeting of my thighs.’ I continued by saying being a woman is both majestic but so real. Painful too. God made us soft but also so strong.

I walked away from this conversation feeling there was so much more I could have said. Yet, I could have said less too. And so, I turned to what I know best. Words. And I started writing.

When I think of women, so many images come to mind.

I think of my mother who raised so many children, both hers and that of others, but never once discriminated or gave her biological children special treatment. She sacrificed many of her own dreams so that we could live ours. Therefore, when my mother comes to mind, I think sacrifice and unconditional love. That is womanhood.

I think of my sister who is the epitome of strength. Every day she wakes up, regardless of what happened the night before and does what needs to be done, to feed her children, to make them happy, to keep them happy, to make sure they know they will never have to face life alone. Not as long as God gives her breathe. Therefore, when my sister comes to mind, I think strength, dedication and love. That is womanhood.

I think of my best friend, who fights her battles quietly. Difficult battles, that some might never understand, but never once have I heard her complain or wallow in misery. She wakes up in the morning and praises the Lord for another day, she gives thanks and she praises Him and builds His kingdom even when everything within her is breaking down. Therefore, when my best friend comes to mind, I think courage, strength, tenacity and resilience. That is womanhood.

What is it then to be a woman? Womanhood is simple yet so complex.

It is overpowering yet so understated.

It is healing but it is pain and suffering too.

It is gentle but strong.

It is sought after but it is something we shy away from too.

It is beauty.

It is truth.

It is majestic.

It is incomprehensible.

It is peace.

It is timeless.

It is strength.

It is courage.

It is fear.

It is life.

Womanhood is both something that is understood, but also something that can never be completely fathomed.

It is in the way you carry yourself, the way you express yourself, the way you seek adventure, the way you nourish your soul. Womanhood is series of contradictions and gray areas, but also a series of definitions and statements.

What is woman? What does it feel like to be a woman? Next time I might simply answer, ‘To be woman, is to be who you truly want to be. Authentically.’

I am WOMAN.
 
Take Care.
 
Miss Stone.

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