When We Were Widows

by Annette Chavez Macias

Sometimes we have to do things we’ve never done in order to grow. Because when you stop growing, you die.”

I had always admired my mother for her strength. I realized maybe that hadn’t been fair to her or me. Being vulnerable had its benefits too.

We’d traveled alone in the dark for so long because our secrets and pride had kept us from realizing that we were on the same path all along. Once we let our guards down, we were able to finally see each other—really see each other. And together we took our first steps into the light.