On Being a Woman

Today is International Women's Day and part of me wants to join the 'screw-you-we-don't-need-one-day-we-need-equality-every-day' bandwagon. A big part of me, if I'm being honest.

I can rage about the loss of reproductive freedom, the lack of gun safety laws, the implicit and explicit bias in the boardroom, the exhaustion of carrying a mental load that no amount of Pinterest hacks can solve.

But then I look into the faces of my two daughters and for a moment, I'm reminded of the gloriousness and paradox of being a woman.

In my role as career woman...

• I've been a leader and been led.

• I've been the breadwinner and been supported.

• I've offered a shoulder for others and cried at work.

• I've gotten the raise and been passed over for promotion.

In my role as family woman...

• I've proven I can make it on my own and broke down when I felt alone.

• I've been the clear decision-maker and given up my point of view.

• I've created, birthed and nursed three humans and grieved the loss of one.

• I've nurtured a 21-year intimate partnership and learned from the failure of many others.

• I've been a support for people I love and have, too often, let them down.

Reflecting on the ups and downs of life and the many hats I wear inspires me to look around. Every single woman I know could write their own version of this list.

We are the caregivers, the abuse-takers and the change-makers.

Through it all, we know who we are and when we forget, we won't be reminded by a day on the calendar or a motivational post on social media.

When we see ourselves in the eyes of another, or for me, in the eyes of my daughters, we know the truth.

We are worthy.