All Entries must be in by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023
Those moving on to the next round will be announced on February 15, 2024
Voting will go from February 15th to March 15th (11:59 PM Eastern Time).
Our Winners will be announced on March 18, 2024
Read the Challenge Rules before you enter. For your work to be considered to get published in one of our books, sign the release after you post your entry here (you will still own the copyright to your work).
You have been through so much in your life, and yet your heart is still so warm and loving. That is a gift to yourself and to those around you. While you are grateful for the good and bad, always be most grateful for you. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our family. <3 Lauren
Dear Beyond Me,
Bravo! This poem reminded me of Faiz “My heart, my traveler” and especially of the line “I would gladly welcome death if it were to come but once,” You’re so talented ! Can’t wait to see mroe of your work!
a little toddler dabbles her toes in the Oregon coast waters, giggling and running from near her mamas.
her Portland cousins play near here with Auntie creating castles, jungles and rivers that flow the waves of the ocean waves and ecovillages below – the land, the sand interconnected to the depths of deepness below.
the sunbursts softly touch the reunion moments that cannot occur all the time.
sunbursts.
small joyful stands cheering for their favorite college teams,
swag outfits of hopes to hoops of dreams – we all have our shots.
for the beats that native musicians drum up to bless, to heal and to cheer the crowds to love,
the therapist who sits in her own softness after healing handing out hope through listening and assisting struggles of pain, finding laughter and humor to balance out the darkness.
the sunbursts come through the bubbled grey clouds that temporary pop up as life below saunters in shimmers to only be captured in the seconds that exist.
no tomorrow is promised.
no big kiss, no big hug, no sounds — so soak in it all.
soak in the life that leaves us to grow embedded in mother earth- panchamama and inti love – quechuan indigenous circles lift up and offer munay – deep love- where sunshine spreads limitlessly.
Christina, This is a wonderful piece. It really captures the idea of processing, being present and appreciating the little but oh-so-beautiful moments of life. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our family. <3 Lauren
WHAT AM I MOST GRATEFUL FOR?
We Have A Technology Allowing Meaningful Interactions, Making Ourselves Share These Gifted Realities, Also Too, Especially For Unconditionally Loving Families, Our Roots.
What am I most grateful for?
If you’ve woken up and chose to keep going. Whether you’re in the calm seas of peace, or you’re riding the lows and highs of the waves that never seem to sleep.
What am I most grateful for?
To be able to create poems that explain the emotions I’ve grown in a strange dream that dreams to explore and release more. I’m grateful for my eyes, because there was a time in my life where I was legally blind for a week, and I remember thinking “how will I ever see what my drawings look like?” I’m grateful for the advances in modern medicine, for without it I wouldn’t have lasted past a few months without the creation of insulin. I’m grateful I’ve made it to 14 years past my date of diagnosis, and I plan to keep on goin, despite the lows of highs of these waves that never seem to sleep. (But always seem to dream) I’m grateful I’ve been able to come across the unsealed letters that reveal the real miracles that have survived and thrived through all types of weathers.
What am I most grateful for?
The family that’s handed me a purpose to see the dirt and to keep planting these seeds for you to read and examine, and to hopefully inspire a type of higher connection to yourself to seek the life that you deserve, and to know that each and every one of us are worth way more than worthless.
Hi there, Afton. Aiša here. Thank you for sharing your admirable attitude towards gratitude with us all. I don’t think I’ve ever read or heard such beautiful words of encouragement than those you’ve penned here.
“ […] keep going. Whether you’re in the calm seas of peace, or you’re riding the lows and highs of the waves that never seem to sleep.…read more
Hello there Aiša!
You are most welcome! I’m glad that some of my sentences could resonate with you like they did with me!
Thank you for your words of kindness!💕
@aisatheauthor what a sweet response <3 <3. @poeticdiabetic Afton I agree with Aiša, your words are absolutely beautiful. Diabetes is a tough condition to manage, and it sounds like you are doing so with grace. You are learning and sharing so much about your own strength and heart. I, too, am grateful you found The Unsealed. <3 Lauren
My Faith Is Being Tested
The Enemy Wants To Ensure That My Meter Reaches Restless
Oxygen At 100 But I Have A Slight Confession
I’m Drowning On The Surface And I Could Be Gone In Seconds
I Just Need One Reason To Keep Fighting These Demons
To Make It Through My Season Genie In A Bottle Give Me Something To Believe In
The Surface Is Uneven And That Hole I Filled Has Steepened
Life Keep Throwing Punches And This Is A Brutal Beating
Life Is What You Make It But Theres A Deeper Meaning
End Isnt Final Just Next Step Of Completion
When God Is For You Who Can Be Against You ?
Tell Me Whats The Issue
Statements Sounding False And The Facts Look Artificial
If I Gave You This Size 7 And I Made It Fit Your Feet
Could You Handle All The Pressure That Comes With Being Me ?
If I Wrote It Step By Step Would You Understand Directions ?
Or Give It What You Got And Just Wait For The Corrections
See I Have To Be Direct Cause I’m Not Good With Rejection
I Had To Bite The Bullet Where’s The Love & Affection ?
They Told Me Use My Voice To Build Better Connections
But Left Me 6 Feet Under Without Air Or Protection
The Enemy Whispered “Will You Float Or Will You Fall”
I Replied With Grace
“God Is Light In Him There Is No Darkness At All” 1 John 1:5
My Strength To Shake It Off He Helped Me Walk Before I Crawled
It’s Time To Take A Bow How Bout A Round Of Applause
His Preserving Power Allowed The Force From Within To Not Just Move Mountains But Forgive Me For My Sins
The Devil Tried To Shake Me, Forgetting He Who Made Me And I Know This May Sound Crazy But He Does It On A Daily
Grateful To Be More Than A Name In A World Full Of Pain Where The Things That Keep Me Sane Are From Things I Cant Explain
Faith Leads To Victory And I Am On A Mission
Breaking Every Barrier With God As My Witness
Wow! I am sorry for the pain you endured but your faith and your grace, are leading you to both your peace and your purpose. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
Speaking to every fighter
I’m so grateful that GOD took a chance on ME
Thankful that I am his rider
His unconditional love is beyond measures
His unconditional love is so comforting
Tangible and intangible
I just love the way GOD loves me
Don’t you see
If giving up was easy
Everyone would have took a backseat
Including me
I’m grateful for GOD’s presence
Most importantly never leaving me
Looking at my reflection
I’m grateful the mirror is always in front of ME
In the presence of darkness
GOD’S love always trembles the unseen
What are the fighters singing
Worthy Worthy Worthy
It’s a grateful human being
Aww I love this. God’s love is so powerful and I am glad you feel that love and are grateful for it. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
I’m forever grateful
That I am able to share my words
With people
And they often become inspired
By my positivity and willingness to share
Openly and comfortably
Everything I’ve been through
From heartache to heartbreak
There is no shame
Just lessons to be learned
I’m grateful for them all
Teachable moments that make me stand tall
I practice gratefulness every day
That’s why I’m grateful for everyone
I encounter daily
From strangers I meet on the street
To inconnus that have become great supporters
In any and everything I do
I’m forever grateful for restored love
Especially the woman that accepted me
And made me appreciate love again
Thank you for first being a friend
I’m forever grateful
For existing in a world
That doesn’t want you to survive
But I find a way to survive the odds stacked against me
Blessed to be alive
And continuously see
That I’m surrounded by the people meant to help me navigate this life!
Tracy! A quote I have heard Robin Roberts say is “Make your mess your message. ” That’s what you do through poetry. You are a powerful, strong, and amazing woman, and I am grateful you are sharing your heart and gift with us. <3 Lauren
What am I grateful for?
Theres a lot you see
I’m not the same girl in the mirror that I see
I’m grateful that my past doesn’t define me
Rather, I’m grateful that it has certainly shaped me
I’m so grateful that I’m not as gullible as I used to be
I can read people now, like I can with a book
So that I can finally be free
Free from the toxicity that used to capture me
I am grateful for those around me now
I am surrounded by love thats so loud that it resounds
I no longer worry of what they think of me
I am no longer bound by people pleasing
One of the things I am grateful for,
Is the realization that my life is mine to live and to adore
I can finally be myself without a care in the world
Having that freedom is literally a dream come true
I feel like Boo in the factory of doors,
All of these opportunities that are flying around me
Like they have wings that are so majestic when they soar
I never experienced anything like this
This makes me to free
My mind is finally clear
I can focus on bettering me
I am grateful that I still have my drive
No longer procrastinating tasks because of fear
Fear of failure giving people opprotunity abandon me
I have no fear now because I have real ones beside me.
I am really grateful for my job,
Although its not where I want to be
I work hard and earn the money that I need to be free
I can buy simple luxuries that make me feel like a queen
I am grateful for the little things like being able to eat and a warm bed.
But as you can see, I wanted to go a little deep
I will leave you with this
My sincerest words
My Words Of Gratuity
Wow @kalianah This is so well written. I love this line, “I can finally be myself without a care in the world.” I hope to see you at more of our weekly events. I think you’d really like the vibe and people. I can tell you have had your fair share of disappointment with people, as have I. I hope you know you are a beautiful soul and the people that…read more
It is not often that we take time away from the sometimes uncontrollable spiral that is our life to think about the things that we are grateful for within it.
And, now that I’ve taken time to think about it, I’ve come to the realization that most people aren’t grateful until they are given a reason to be.
Maybe it’s my unhealthy obsessions with psychology and horror speaking, but he wasn’t entirely wrong in his thinking.
People who have been in car accidents tend to be more grateful for life than people whose lives have never been threatened.
Maybe that’s off-topic.
What am I GRATEFUL for?
I suppose I’m grateful for the interdependence of humans and trees.
People don’t really think about small things such as these.
I’m grateful for the way the wind blows through the leaves, and the way my son hugs me before he leaves.
You know what?
I’m grateful for life. My life. As it is now.
Just last year, my mental health was depleting. My fiancé of seven years was facing several years in prison, and I’d lost my mind along with him. I remember how bad things got.
Moment of silence to a dark past that led to a brighter future.
Maybe I could have shared a story, but I’ve just been in deep thought. What am I grateful for?
Everything. I remember having nothing like it was yesterday. I remember praying for something to happen any day. I remember hoping that I could find a way. I remember.
So I’m grateful for every breath and every stomach growl. I’m grateful for feeling sick and smelling something foul.
Things that people don’t think about. Things that people can’t do.
I’m grateful for everything because I remember when I didn’t have anything.
Awww Tiara, Your gratitude for all the little moments and things in life is really inspiring. I love this part: “I’m grateful for the way the wind blows through the leaves, and the way my son hugs me before he leaves.” I hope your fiance is ok. And I am glad you have been able to take a deep breath and feel gratitude for all aspects of life. You a…read more
Thank you so much for your kind words; My fiance is doing well. I often look back at the hard times, and I think I needed those moments. Have a great week!
Dear Tiara,
Your words express a positive outlook even though you have had some very challenging times. I hope your life continues to improve! Good luck!
The thing I am most grateful for in life
is life itself
my life. this life. me.
this may seem obvious, mundane, oversimplified
but not for me
I have anxiety,
depression,
complex PTSD,
and BPD
I always sort of shrugged at the anxiety;
worry is my natural state
and it always has been
it’s all I’ve ever known
but the depression, the PTSD, the BPD-
those came with time and unfortunate circumstances
the way they blend together and feed off of each other;
the fight is three against one and seems unfair
The little me in the photographs
she stares back at me so innocently
so timid and scared, so wholesome
she has no idea about all of the trauma that’s coming her way
she is going to face abuse and neglect
everyday for the next couple of decades
and this will shape her forever
I am grateful for this version of myself
because she got me through the hardest time of my life
I talk about her in the third person
because I never felt connected to past versions of myself
but especially the littlest version
I had to cope with too much back then;
I repressed so much of it
now I can’t remember huge chunks of my life
but they were too painful to experience the first time around
without having to carry the burden of memory, too
I neglected myself for most of my life,
never stopping to ask what I wanted or needed,
only concerned with pleasing others so I could survive
my default setting was a blank slate
ready to be molded into whatever the other person expected from me
this was conditioned in me
I was groomed to be the perfect victim
for anyone who wanted to control someone else;
a plague that would follow me well into my adult years
ignoring myself became so normal that I forgot who I am,
or maybe I never knew at all,
I was never given the space to find out
(hence the BPD)
I looked death in the eyes that summer
depression dared me to
BPD agreed
PTSD instigated
and I gave in
they convinced me that my life is worthless
and that I am a burden
how are they so good at that?
the overdose felt like a slow death
eventually I passed out
I don’t know how long I was unconscious for
definitely hours, maybe days
when I woke up and realized I was still alive
I was fucking pissed
I was immediately prepared to try again
I can’t really explain exactly what changed, or when, or why
recovery was a slow, excruciating process that I didn’t want to participate in
I guess I learned how to participate anyways
little by little, one step at a time
and the pain started to feel a little less intense, a little less often
so to be able to say today that I am grateful for this life
it is an accomplishment,
one that only came after a long and gruesome recovery process
I am grateful for the version of myself
that packed up all of my things
and moved out of my toxic environment
not once, not twice, but three times
in order to save myself
I am grateful for the version of me
that went to therapy for six years;
the version that took the time
to stare at all of my trauma,
find its roots,
and pour love into them
the way I always deserved
I unlearned a lifetime of self hatred
and as a 23 year old woman
I began to learn how to take care of myself
and maybe even grow to love myself
It has been a long, tiresome journey to this place of gratitude
I could never see a future for myself before
but now I’m starting to
so this is what I mean when I say I am grateful for my life
and I am grateful for myself
I’m grateful for all the different versions of me
that had to exist in order to carry me through
a lifetime of trauma and neglect
I got myself through everything
the world had to throw at me
without ever letting it take away my softness
or my hope for the possibility of something better
the fact that I am alive today is a privilege
and that is what I am most grateful for
I am grateful to simply be alive and to be me
“I got myself through everything
the world had to throw at me
without ever letting it take away my softness”
WOW! WOW! WOW! Marissa, this piece is so well said, and so powerful. I am sorry for what you went through, the pain you felt, and the trauma you endured. But to hit such a low and then come back and fight for yourself, your happiness and…read more
Dear Marissa,
I am so glad you healed and you are here and healthy. Keep up the good work. You will be successful at anything you do because you are strong.
Wow! Aisa, you have some serious writing talent. This is well said and creatively written. You are clearly stepping into your power and letting the whole world know. You are an absolute STAR! Keep shining! Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our Unsealed family. I love reading the responses you wrote to other unsealers. You are a…read more
What am I grateful for?
Often I feel shameful for not feeling more grateful for my disability
I am grateful to the Higher Power
For instilling the motivation and strength
Recognizing how I can use my disability
Sometimes I make myself feel dizzy
Trying to figure out why me
he chose to be looked at differently
I never think I will fully love my disability
Because I do wish my disability wasn’t something you can see
But when I look at my life now
I am trying to see something new
The good in why he chose me
Being one of the people whose disability you can see
So you see
There is a responsibility
To encourage others to see
We all have a “disability”
I don’t want self-pity
I just want people to understand that
“Your disability” just maybe
Your greatest ability
Thank you higher power
And everyone that supports me!
Aiša, this response LITERALLY makes me TEAR UP!!! I am glad with these words, “There is a responsibility
To encourage others to see
We all have a “disability” captured what you were feeling!! YOUR WORDS CAPTURED what I NEEDED to hear about this piece and for MYSELF!! A SENTENCE goes a LONG WAY!! Keep BEING YOU!!
Jake!!!!! This piece is fantastic! Your best piece yet. Embrace yourself. You inspire so many. You are thoughtful and have such a wonderful spirit. You are perfect the way you are! Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our family <3 Lauren
AND ESPECIALLY using YOUR WORDS!!! YOU TRULY HAVE A GIFT!! I am HUMBLED AND HONORED to be a PAL of YOURS! I took a screenshot of your response, so it’s there for me not just when I NEED IT, BUT TO START MY DAY!! This is MY COFFEE!!!
When I first started attending alcoholics anonymous (AA) meetings, something I heard a lot of people say in their introduction was that they were a grateful alcoholic. I couldn’t understand why someone would be grateful to be cursed with this disease. It destroyed my life, my relationships, my will to live. Why on earth would anyone be grateful to go through life with this sickness? It wasn’t until I had a relapse that sent me to such a deep rock bottom, that I had to fully surrender myself to the program. Once I did so I started to push myself out of my comfort zone, making friends, showing up consistently to the same meetings, developing a relationship with my higher power and giving my all to the twelve steps. This is when I started to see the promises of the program coming true. My fear of the world, failure, rejection and judgement started dissipating. My heart started opening up again and it made space for true connection. I learned how to be vulnerable and share the things I held in so deeply with shame in the past. I have developed so much gratitude for this life of recovery. I understand now what it means to be a grateful recovering alcoholic. If I never had this disease I would never have met the beautiful souls I have in my life today. I would never have gone to the depths of my soul and discovering who I truly am underneath all of my fears and pain. I would never have felt the connection of such a powerful, loving and accepting community. AA is my family and I am so grateful to have been led here through my struggles.
Lillian! This is so powerful, honest and inspiring. I love this line “My heart started opening up again and it made space for true connection.” When we truly face the things that hurt us in life, we some how find the most meaningful gifts. The way you wrote this story was so perfect and so insightful. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being…read more
Dear Lillian,
I am happy for you that you found some wonderful people who support you. I know you will continue to stay well and succeed in life. Here is to a healthy life!
To the songs that soothe our souls—
Birds, who give voice to the dust on butterfly wings,
that set flight to hearts that weigh more, in life,
than this human body can bring
To the women, who hold me in their arms—
Mothers whose love gives birth to all others,
their lips, dripping with truths we crave to read
in the lies of men that can’t, who weren’t made to, bleed.
To the love rising from the ashes within me,
turning dust to nectar, nourishing
petals that sprout, even through fallen leaves.
To the mind, that relentless dynamo,
that wonders, even as I slumber.
To these hips I haven’t mastered
how to shake, that I call home.
To these hardy bones
I fear to break, that I know one day
will wither away.
To these eyes, I know
take me deeper
inside
To the true me, myself, and I,
I’ve always known.
To the one who reads these words,
a reflection, a shadow
That, beneath a fruit tree
already lived and died
longer than
You, or me,
an extension of interconnection,
sparks that lead us back to one eternal flame
from which we all light, and delight,
in one another.
To the hands that type, these words
into a device that may one day enslave me
To pen and paper that cramps my hand,
an addictive catharsis that gives semblance to
This life, this foreign concept,
a system my brain can’t think itself free from,
a headache, a heartache, all at once
felt and embraced,
yet unbound.
Kaileia, your writing always takes me on a journey — one that is peaceful and thoughtful. This is so creative and so real at the same time. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
It was hard to be appreciative this year.
It is always hard to appreciate things in life when everything else becomes so heavy.
I think maybe gratitude is just a way to remain hopeful through despair;
to remind us that we should be glad that we even have the opportunity to feel those feelings and have experiences in the first place.
Over the past year I was thankful for a few things;
I was thankful that I got a new job,
that my mom let me move home,
that I am safe and healthy,
and I can confidently say I was and am thankful for my cat.
At the very least, I should probably be thankful that I am afforded the luxury of being able to not be super grateful.
I suppose every day that I am alive, living and breathing, I should be glad.
Although, I wasn’t the one that chose to be here.
I have to face responsibility that I did not ask for.
Truth be told, I don’t even choose to show up every day; some days I stay in bed and do nothing for myself.
A while ago I just decided that I have to keep myself alive and learn the lessons of life.
I wish I was more grateful.
Maybe if I was more gracious of the good things, I would also react better to the negatives.
This year I tried to force myself to be thankful even through the things that made me most uncomfortable:
the things that made my stomach churn, my heart ache, and left the corners of my eyes stained red.
I cannot be thankful for all of the negative things; I cannot be thankful for unkindness, pain, hardship, loss, and grief.
I do not want to find the good in every situation because sometimes things just suck.
I do not want to appreciate these things because I do not want to accept them.
Sure I wouldn’t feel so sad right now if I was able to trust the process.
How could I be glad that I don’t feel strong enough to accomplish any goals or that my family members are spending their nights sinking into depression?
I felt weak a lot.
If I was thankful for every obstacle I have faced, I fear that I might get used to living life in this way.
I don’t think I would learn as much.
I need to be uncomfortable.
I need to wonder ‘Why me?’
Apparently there is no good or bad way to live-
there are only our feelings, decisions, and lessons we leave with.
I am not grateful for the lessons I learn as I am experiencing them.
A person is not grateful for air when they are being held underwater.
Sure they want to breathe, but it is about the action, not the object.
It is about figuring out how to take a successful breath,
and only once a person is back above water, are they thankful for the air itself.
When a person is left underwater panic instills and the individual is only thinking about the fact that they need to get above the water, not about why.
I can’t imagine anyone in the middle of a crisis thinking ‘Wow I’m so glad to be here.’
So what is one to do when constantly living in a state of dysregulation?
I am suspicious that perhaps I am not finding pleasure or contentment because I am in the midst of one of those big life lessons;
the kind that you look back upon later and see the change it forced you to experience.
Am I supposed to be grateful now for the what’s to come later or am I allowed to be sad?
Can I pity the world and still oblige to gratitude and hope?
To be grateful is to express thanks and appreciate the benefits received.
I was not very grateful this year,
but I am thankful that I am able to grow;
grateful that I get to try again.
I am indebted to the world, but I have an obligation to myself.
‘She does not have to always be thankful for what has happened because sometimes she knows she deserves more, or at least she’s trying to,’ I often think.
I don’t want to be grateful just because I am told that I have to be.
I don’t want the people around me to think that their actions are okay because things can always be worse.
I might be cynical, but I know that life can be a little lighter.
I don’t want to be glad with what I do have just because some people have less than me,
I want everyone to have more.
Signed the girl sitting here grateful to be able to express herself (I am still learning how to communicate my gratitude)
Thank you for your words Aiša!
I am glad that you were able to relate to and reflect on parts of this piece!<3 I was definitely nervous to put this piece of writing out there as I had felt it might be too negative or miss the goal of the prompt. However, I found that when I was trying to write about specific circumstances of being grateful my…read more
Sheesh! This is so real, so honest and so insightful. I love this line, ” I am thankful that I am able to grow;
grateful that I get to try again.”
It is real and it is something to be grateful for in the midst of a time in your life when things are tough. Keep asking for more. Keep holding your bar high. And don’t question your own gratitude.…read more
Thank you so much Lauren!
Thank you for your kind, inspiring, and powerful words back to me. I am grateful to be a part of The Unsealed!!<33 I am glad that others are enjoying this piece as well. In my response above directed to Aiša M I had said how writing this piece made me feel good. I have always been taught that negative emotions are bad;…read more
I will never forget the day I had four different doctors tell me that there would be no chance of me ever having a healthy pregnancy and have a safe delivery. The out pour of emotions I felt made all the color leave my body and I sat still in silence for a moment without ever responding to the doctors. More than anything in the world, I always wanted to become a mom. I was born with a nurturing spirit. Growing up as a little girl at the age of just two years old I took on the responsibilities of taking care of my younger sister Armani that was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called “metachromatic leukodystrophy” that causes loss of motor skills, muscle functions and memory loss. I learned how to feed my sister, change her medicine tubes, and keep her clean. Honestly, from what I remember it never felt like a job to me, I just enjoyed being able to spend time with my sister and making her happy. I was grateful to have her and I always cherished our time together. Unfortunately, with this disorder her life expectancy was cut short. At the age of five years old she took her last breath in my fathers arms and I prayed that one day I could become a loving mother and take care of my daughter the way I nurtured my sister. My health was declining significantly and the amount of stress i endured on a day to day was leading me down a path to destruction. I prayed constantly and asked God to guide me, to please take over. I didn’t have any fight left in me to bare anymore harm to myself. God spoke to me and reassured me that I will become what I was destined to be if I’m willing to sacrifice and start all over. Give up unhealthy eating habits, toxic people in my life, and looking for love in all the wrong places. I began writing in my journal more often and just about everyday I wrote at least one thing I’m grateful for to express my gratitude. Changing my perspective on life and letting go of all that no longer served me, elevated my life tremendously. I had no particular timing in mind. I was focused on the “win” and not “when” all that was promised to me would happen. I was grateful to be on the right track and getting back to me. Redefining my self worth and understanding what it means to love myself just as I am and how to be a better me. Yet, six months later I met the love of my life not knowing he would be more than I could ever imagine in a partner. My best friend, teammate, lover, and protector. We developed our relationship with peace, love, and understanding. During this time, my partner also respected and supported my healthy lifestyle and did everything in his power to ensure I was at my best. After a year of being together, we got the greatest surprise on his birthday. I was pregnant! We were so overjoyed and nervous all at once. Soon as we found out, i immediately thought about what all those doctors told me and I decided to erase that from my mind and speak life, peace, and love into my pregnancy. On March 13,2022 I gave birth to my beautiful healthy baby girl Armani. We both decided to name our daughter after my sister. My daughter has her own personal angel watching over her. Life has truly shown me that even in times of strife, to always be grateful. You never know what’s waiting for you on the other side of the storm.
Wow @mercedes3650 ! What an incredible story. I am so glad you did everything in your power to take care of yourself, and then all good things followed. I loved this part of your story, “I was focused on the “win” and not “when” all that was promised to me would happen. I was grateful to be on the right track and getting back to me. ” We can all…read more
My arms; they’re scrunched up to my sides as I thumb my way through this thought. We sleep in one big bed now. Our bed, we call it. As it turns out, sleepovers aren’t just for when you have company.
It’s a feeling.
It’s a spot.
It was a time.
It’s yet to come.
It’s in my daydreams.
It’s in my breath- coming in and out of my lungs.
It lives in a poem my heart rewrites every trip around the sun.
It lives at my grandmother’s kitchen table and in the hourly sounds her clock made.
Sometimes it’s my feet in the dirt.
Others it’s in low lighting, having tea with a friend.
It finds me when I’m well.
It guides me when I’m unwell.
It’s what I didn’t know I needed.
It’s what I don’t know how to ask for.
It is peace, when I’ve surrendered.
It is joy, after sorrow.
It is laughter, while I’m crying.
It is closing my eyes, then getting to open them again.
It is in the seasons.
Coming with the sun rising in the East
And going with the sun setting in the West.
It is fleeting.
It is ever so slow.
It is all of the seasons bound together.
It is my life.
That’s it!
I found it.
What am I most grateful for?
My life.
Their lives.
Your life.
All bound together-
All of our experiences.
It’s in the mundane.
It burrows itself in my sorrow, just to bloom again with time.
It is my fear unmasked.
It is the ebb and flow.
It’s every year wiser.
It is slowing down, just to speed up.
It’s in my friendships.
My jobs.
My family.
My passions.
My failures.
My pain.
It is worth all of it, all over again just to feel it again.
It is in who I was when I entered this world.
It is in who I am tucked into our family bed writing this poem.
It is me, alive.
Awww, the way you ended this piece is definitely a mic drop. This piece is direct but also insightful and powerful. I love it! Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
I smile and say: “Good morning.”
But everyone seems like they are mourning.
Have they not heard the news of our Lord and savior?
Who we will see one day in eternal paradise
He died for our sins upon the cross
Wrongdoing, he committed none.
Rejoice! Be thankful
Our Lord loves us.
He brought me out of darkness
And healed my broken heart
Without him, I would be lost.
Gratitude cannot repay the sacrifices he made.
So I will spread His word until we are united at last.
I think faith is such an important part of gratitude… and it’s not so much exactly what you believe but that you believe. This piece is such a powerful reminder of that. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our Unseaed family. <3 Lauren
A sweltering Florida night
A room full of twinkling starry lights
The blonde in the little black dress
In a crowd of strangers, looking to impress
A year of joy merged into one
That day my life had just begun
On August 28, 2021
Against all odds standing here
In the face of doubt, mistakes, and fears
Then suddenly my pain made worthwhile
By ocean eyes and a benevolent smile
The one who all the world shunned
In that moment became second to none
On August 28, 2021
Out of that kindness came a vow
To be something greater than I am now
To rise from the doldrums of my malaise
And become worthy of that glowing praise
A promise burns brighter than the sun
And I’ll remember until my life is done
That day, August 28, 2021
Wow! This is so well written. What happened on that date that it was such a turning point? This piece is so creative. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our Unsealed family. <3 Lauren