The men kitty corner to me in this restaurant are dissecting women. Loudly proclaiming which pieces they prefer. To use. Don’t they know that this pair of breasts comes with a pair of ears? I can hear. I can feel.
Objectification.
Patriarchy.
Rape culture.
My 13-year-old child is a beauty, looking much older than the innocent child she is.
My worry. Disgust. Fear.
Exhale.
I log in to Facebook, heart sinking to read about yet another victim to the modern scourge. Daffodils sold by the ton, and yet cures stubbornly elude the smartest of us. It’s rare to feel so helpless in this day and age.
Chemotherapy.
Radiation.
Survival odds.
My loved ones are not immune, dealt a brutal hand. Again.
My worry. Disgust. Fear.
Exhale.
She browbeats my husband. Yelling, in front of our children, gesturing her disdain. “Why don’t you teach your kids some manners?” Their almond eyes, simple hearts and developmental profiles are powerless to protect them from this attitude.
Misunderstanding.
Judgment.
Ignorant cruelty.
My special kids work so hard, struggling to find their place in this world.
My worry. Disgust. Fear.
Exhale.
I shadowbox invisible foes,
bouts I cannot win.
I choke on the toxic fumes,
of a world I cannot control.
Until I learn to clear my lungs.
Let it go.
Play my part,
then leave the fight in Divine hands.
Exhale.
© 2012 Tom Garnett, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio
So here’s me, on a lovely summer holiday full of fun and adventure and ice cream, learning to spit out the ugly that finds us, even here.
This is my contribution to the Five Minute Friday roundup on the word:
Exhale.
So Here's Us... 
July 4th, 2014 at 8:17 pm
I thought your post was powerful. Great job capturing raw emotions in this difficult world. We take in so much hurt, pain, and heartache. So glad to have a chance to exhale again. Loved your last line.
July 6th, 2014 at 11:08 am
Thank you. This world can be as difficult and disheartening as it is wonderful. I need the constant reminder that I’m not actually God.
July 4th, 2014 at 8:30 pm
beautiful. Stirs emotion , evokes empathy
July 6th, 2014 at 11:08 am
Thank you!
July 4th, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Wow! Thank you for sharing your heart with us, and the importance of exhaling. We need to exhale and let go of the bad, so that we can take in the beauty in the mess. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
July 6th, 2014 at 11:09 am
Love that – “the beauty in the mess” well said!
July 4th, 2014 at 10:57 pm
You in so many ways capture the essence in the deepest parts of my soul, in places I didn’t even know existed. Feelings I didn’t even know I had. It leaves me breathless. You have so much talent. I am humbled by the simplicity yet power of your words.
July 6th, 2014 at 11:11 am
I know that this is a very difficult week for you and Andy, so that means more than ever. I think we speak the same language!
August 30th, 2014 at 12:29 pm
[…] I'm a bookworm, nature lover, kick-boxer, candy fiend, sci fi geek, home body, progressive Christian and part-time student. I love my crazy life and the messy, fun, stubborn, silly, brilliant people who populate it. View all posts by Christie Hoos This entry was posted on Friday, July 4th, 2014 at 12:04 pm and tagged with book reviews, favourites, recommendations, What I'm Into (August 2014) and posted in favourites, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. « Unpacking: Two Years Ago Today Exhale » […]