Day 40: She

This woman can tell you what it’s like to plod on in spite of it all

She is the one whom you all come to for advice

She is the first name on all your lips when you have no answers

She is the one who can hug and minister your sorrows away

She is the one whose presence you all leave feeling lighter

Perhaps because you leave part of your burden in her heart and head

She is the one who always has the answer

She is your saviour for the day,

Your unpaid and very reliable girl Friday

She is the one who always wears a smile

She is the one who will always celebrate with you with a heart bursting with joy

Even when what you’re celebrating is something she has always wanted which she knows she will never have

She is the one who often privately nurses her own battle wounds

Afraid that one cry for help would cause a fault line in her wall of strength

She is the one who bears burdens no one knows of

These burdens, she convinces herself they are bearable

But oh! how painful they are to carry

She is your mother, your sister, your lover, your friend

Look for her

Look at, not through her

Listen to her

Lean in to her

Lend her your support

Labour with her

Lavish her with attention

Lessen her burdens

Laugh with her

Learn from her

Love her

Unconditionally.