My dear sister/friend Barbara shared this with me when she met this group several years ago. I am so touched by their work, their calling.
I remember when I was about 8 months pregnant with Makayla, I was attending a retreat held by Ruth King called Black Diversity. In this retreat we were told to create a ritual for ourselves. This particular group was all women and I decided that I wanted them to make a belly cast for me and my daughter. The first thing that struck me and brought tears to my eyes was how hungry my skin was for touch by other women. Not sexual touch but kind, loving, gentle touch from another woman. I used to get this kind of touch from my mother and grandmothers. During this ritual as they laid each strip of paster covered gauze over my breast and belly they offered a wish for me and Makayla. It was such a sacred ritual for me. Years later when Makayla turned 16 and we invited women to listen to her hopes dreams and to share theirs for her as we decorated the body cast I was once again reminded of the power of this kind of gentle touch.
Seeing these men step into this work is so powerful to me. So healing. So much of what I feeling this world is call for from all men. Thank you brothers for doing your work. Thank you for healing yourselves and making this a better place for all of us.
Quanita
Comments