Wonder woman is in cinemas this week.
If only everyone knew I was really Wonder Woman.
I may not look it on the outside, but inside I have grown tall and tough. Powerful.
I can quickly deflect bullets, lasers, and other projectiles with my impenetrable bracelets.
Sure, I still have my weaknesses, holes that sometimes leak.
I poke my fingers at the holes in my sides though, as best I can.
I realise this about myself, suddenly out of nowhere, as I drive along. A snails pace on the way to work.
The swaying of the wipers, swipe at fat droplets of rain on the glass.
As I think about ways I have tried to fill up those holes and stop the leaks.
I am not even sure if it is the rain causing things to be blurry out there, or me lost in my thoughts.. with my fingers digging into flesh.
For a while there I wasn't so strong. Smooth silk, lipstick, the bottom of a liquor bottle, comfort food, addictive behaviour, running, hiding, clutching on to pregnant memories..anything I could reach to make me feel alive again.
But it only dulled the ache, desperate sandbags; a levy. Never really filling me up. Temporary plugs.
It is hard to lose something. To admit you failed. It weakened me.
I recognise now though that despite it all I keep going. Head held high. Bracelets ready for action.
I think we all tend to do that as women, we get knocked down, we get back up again.
That's at least something.
I am strong again. I know who I am now, and I like her.
I know more about myself than any judging eyes. it is a powerful feeling. To walk in a room and know I am worthy.
I know that foolish people don't see my magic, but trust me it is there, I feel it when I poke my fingers in.
Nothing has broken me when it probably should have. Smiles come. Joy can be reached.
I rock it in black lace, heels and red lips. My armour to face them all. I don't care what anyone else thinks about that.
I used to always say I was weak. I don't anymore.
I am so strong. Stronger than I ever gave myself credit for.
If I wasn't strong, I would simply let go. Allow all the stuff inside to come spurting out.
I'm an Amazonian warrior princess. really, when I think about it.
Men have tried to bend me, break me.
Circumstances have pushed and pulled me.
Nobody can ever tell me what I should be anymore, only I get that privilege.
I am my own Super Hero - strong enough to leap tall buildings and find amazing ways to mend leaky holes.
Emma-Kate
xoxo