This poem is written by none other than my sister and friend, Sierra. Having lived our lives in beautiful connectedness, I am thrilled to be able to share her musings, and am proud of how she is pressing into God’s desire for healing and hope. Enjoy!

Invisible Exercise

Healing from trauma is a bit like acrobatics.

An experienced athlete makes everything look so easy.

But it comes with hours 

     Of practice falling

Of strength training

And with unseen sweat and tears.

From the audience, it feels like it wouldn’t be that hard.

Only once you start for yourself do you realize and recognize

Just how many hours and muscles are needed to get to that point.

     To learn how to fall safely,

To know when to let go

And when to hold on.

From the outside, you don’t see the hours of tumbling.

     Of failing.

Of wrestling your instincts.

That every hour can be filled,

And is indeed filled with all three

     Healing from trauma is like acrobatics,

And every moment is a moment of exercise.

The days’ tasks don’t explain the fatigue.

     Just the invisible exercise.