Women outdoors…by Jessica
It is often easy for me to forget about the struggle that the women I know who live outside face, maybe because in the time we spend together there is so much laughter and openness or maybe because they do very little complaining or it might be that I need to pay much more attention. To be a woman who lives outside is extremely dangerous. There are far more men than women who live outside and as a result there are far more services and resources for men then there are for women.
Throughout my life I have felt a challenge to defend my safety and myself. We women often times get pushed around by society, the church, men or each other. We often feel the need to prove that we are strong enough or smart enough; that we are capable and deserve to be taken seriously and treated as equals. It is often a struggle for women to feel safe and heard and this struggle can beat a person up and wear them down.
As much as I have experienced this struggle as a woman, my life has never had to depend on my toughness, tenacity, or strength, yes all of those adjectives have come in handy and served as useful tools but I have never needed them to rescue me.
It is very different outside. I have never met stronger women than the women I know who are a part of HOMEpdx. I have never seen more authentic strength then the strength I see in these women and unfortunately I am often not paying close enough attention and I miss moments with them. I am trying to look closer and listen better, to sit on steps and in the grass and listen to their stories and laugh and love them. I want to pay closer attention as they live out their life, because these women are teaching me and mothering me and I often take for granted the gift that I have been given in them.
It would be arrogant to believe that our place of residence changes who we are. As women we are no different from each other. We all struggle to feel safe and accepted. We worry about the silly superficial things, many of the women I know who live outside have raised families and some still are, whether it be children they have birthed or orphaned kids living outside. I believe that the moment I begin to think I am different is the moment when I give arrogance and apathy a place to plant themselves deep in me. And those two poisons will grow into a monster and keep me from ever learning and growing and changing.
These women I get to spend time with downtown are strong and generous. I want to sit at their feet and know what they know. I want to give them what little I have.
Jessica
Vivian Brocato 08/21/09 10:13 AM |
Love this! Love you Jess! Love those amazing women! So much we have to learn! So much they have to share! May we continue to love and learn together! Hugs!
DonnaV 08/29/09 4:37 PM |
I love this too!! Sometimes I get overwhelmed with how little I know about anything and love the fact that everyone I encounter has something to teach me. Sometimes I think having an openness to learn from someone else is the best gift we can give them…well, actually I never had that thought till just now so the sometimes part should be deleted!! …ok, now I’m rambling and maybe the whole thing should be deleted!!
Terris Harned 09/3/09 11:40 AM |
As always, Jessica shows her wisdom and compassion in this post. She truly is Ken’s prodigy.
I feel, as a man of the streets, that it is our job to cherish and protect the women mentioned, when we can. The problem is, the women face such adversity that it is often hard for them to trust, to open up to someone who is offering them a kind hand, without suspicion. I’m so thankful for people like Jessica and Ken, that they have someone they can turn to, and trust, and get help they need. People who love everyone they come across, unconditionally. <3 You guys!