I first came to Exponent II for sustenance. New to my faith transition, I gained strength from stories of women who were making it work. Not quietly in the background, but standing in their own truth, unapologetic of the paths they were choosing.
I have continued to read the blog every month and pore over each quarterly magazine for those same stories of bold, vulnerable life. I no longer need them to nourish me the same way. I can now stand confidently in my path. Now I read the stories to challenge my biases, to open my eyes to the joy and pain in the lives of others.
I went to the retreat and witnessed how that strength was passed from generation to generation. I witnessed a circle of women, holding and being held, in all their vulnerability.
Carol Lynn Pearson’s poem, “Women Together,” sums up perfectly what Exponent II is for me:
You can fall here.
We are a quilt set to catch you
a quilt of women’s hands
threaded by pain made useful.
With generations of comfort-making
behind us, we offer this gift
warm as Grandma’s feather bed
sweet as the Heavenly Mother’s Lullaby Song.
You can fall here.
Women’s hands are strong.
This poem was published with permission of Carol Lynn Pearson, with the message: “Ongoing blessings in your good work. The need for women to shine has never been greater.”
Tirza (she/her) is a homeschooling mom and part-time librarian. She has been a permablogger since 2018 and also served on the board from 2021–2022.
Ayer, Massachusetts
