I wonder how many women cry in the shower.

Not me. Not today. But I have.

Over loss,

over love,

for my children,

for myself,

in prayer,

over dreams,

over things I can change,

over things that I can't.

I wonder how many women sing in the shower.

Not me. Not today. But I have.

Out of joy,

excitement,

from feeling 'at peace,'

with myself,

those around me,

my role in my family and this world,

over dream-planning,

answered prayers,

positive changes I've made or seen.

I wonder how many women yell in the shower.

Not me. Not today. But I have.

In grief,

frustration,

exhaustion,

over things worthy

over things that absolutely aren't.

I wonder how many women pray in the shower.

Not me. Not today. But I have.

For others,

for myself,

for my husband,

for my children

for those I know,

for those I don't,

for those who have asked,

for those who won't.

I wonder how many women meditate in the shower.

Not me. Not today. But I have.

As best I can,

to calm my mind,

relax my bones,

slow my pace,

steady my direction.

I wonder how many women task-plan in the shower.

Not me. Not today. But I have.

For the day,

for the week,

for the month

for birthday parties

for class parties,

work responsibilities,

my home's caretaking.

The shower is a sacred place for us women, but you wouldn't know it from how we hurry in and out of it, rushing so that we can care for what and who needs tending to.

I wonder how many women have missed a shower.

Not me. Not today. But I have.

But I won't anymore.

Because women need tending to, too.

The next time your wife heads off to "take a quick shower," tell her to take her time, 'cause though you don't know what she needs that time for, she needs it, and that's all that matters.

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