Emma

The air is charged with anticipation as I stand at the heart of our newly rebuilt women's shelter.

Wings Of Hope.

When José and I came up with this name, little did we know how much strength and hope we would need to put it back together after it burned down to ashes.

But here we are now.

The place is a kaleidoscope of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment as we gather today for the reopening.

The room is adorned with decorations, laughter, and the promise of a brighter future for those who will find sanctuary here. A haven once lost to flames now stands as a symbol of resilience, ready to embrace women and children seeking refuge from abusive environments.

Everyone who has played pivotal roles in bringing this dream to life is happily chatting around, and a sense of profound gratitude washes over me as I watch all the women and kids back.

Everyone I love is here.

Everyone but Asher.

I catch glimpses of couples dancing, friends laughing, and families sharing stories. Yet, even surrounded by over two hundred people, the absence of Asher's presence is a silent ache, amplifying the growing distance between us.

He called me earlier, saying he'd be late as a last-minute appointment came up and he couldn't reschedule. It's been almost two hours, though.

I texted him a couple of times to check on him but haven't heard back. So, I'm wearing my game face and trying to pretend it doesn't bother me.

The highlight of the evening approaches and a few people take a moment to speak a few words. Lucy, a woman whose life was transformed by the shelter years ago, steps forward, and my heart tightens with pride.

She was one of the first women that we welcomed, broken and battered by an abusive relationship. Lucy's story is not just one of survival but of triumph — a testament to the strength that lives within each woman who walks through these doors.

"Years ago, I found myself trapped in a nightmare," she starts. "It was a life filled with fear, isolation, and the soul-crushing weight of abuse. My then-husband, a man who should have been my life partner, became my tormentor. Every day was a struggle for survival, every night a descent into darkness."

Lucy's words hang heavy in the air, casting a somber shadow over the room. The shared pain in the eyes of the women listening echoes the silent understanding of battles fought behind closed doors.

"But then, I found Wings Of Hope—a sanctuary that became my lifeline. Emma, José, and the entire team welcomed me with open arms, providing not just shelter but a chance at rebirth. In the warmth of this haven, I rediscovered my strength, my voice, and my worth."

She recounts the journey of rebuilding her life—a journey paved with tears, moments of self-discovery, and the unwavering support of the shelter. Lucy's narrative is a tapestry of resilience, depicting the arduous process of healing and restoration.

"Tonight is not just about celebrating the reopening of Wings Of Hope," she continues. "It's about acknowledging the strength to overcome adversity and forge a path towards a brighter future."

I take a moment to let her words settle, allowing the shared heartbeat of the room to synchronize with my own. The warmth of the spotlight feels both comforting and exposing, a paradox that mirrors the journey of those who seek refuge within these walls.

"In our pursuit of a haven for survivors, we often find ourselves navigating the delicate dance between darkness and light. It requires not just compassion but unwavering courage—the courage to confront our own shadows, to stand firm in the face of pain, and to emerge on the other side, transformed."

The importance of bravery, the very fabric of Lucy's narrative, becomes the focal point of her speech and emotion fills the room.

"Bravery is not the absence of fear," she says. "It's the audacity to take that first step, even when the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. It's about acknowledging the wounds within and daring to heal them. Each woman who walks through the doors of Wings Of Hope carries a unique story, a tapestry woven with both resilience and vulnerability."

My gaze scans the room, meeting the eyes of women who have fought battles in silence, and who have summoned courage from the depths of despair. The unspoken connection among us is deep, and the silent understanding we share is palpable.

"We are not defined by the scars of our past, though," Lucy continues, "but by the courage with which we face them. And tonight, as we celebrate the reopening of this haven, let us also celebrate the bravery that lives within each of you. It's a bravery that transforms pain into strength, fear into resilience, and isolation into a shared journey towards healing."

Her words flow with an earnest sincerity, echoing the sentiments that have guided me throughout the creation and reconstruction of Wings Of Hope. As she speaks, I feel the gravity of the unspoken truth between Asher and me pressing against the walls of my heart—a truth that demands its own moment of courage.

"As we embark on this new chapter," she looks at each one of us, "let us embrace the power of vulnerability, for it is in our shared humanity that we find strength. The courage to be brave is not just a gift we give to ourselves; it's a beacon that lights the way for others."

Her words resonate, echoing in the surrounding space. People's eyes are filled with a mix of pride, gratitude, and love as emotions rise within our hearts.

Then, a moment of profound connection occurs. Lucy looks directly at me, and her words pierce through my whole body.

"Sometimes," she says, "the most challenging part of the journey is sharing our truth. But it's in facing our own vulnerabilities that we find the strength to break free from the chains that bind us."

My heart tightens in my chest, and my jaw falls open. Her words strike a chord, stirring a realization deep within me. My abusive relationship with Zack. The way my father has tried to manipulate me my whole life. Asher and the second chance that life gave us. It washes over me in a quick, revealing second.

I feel someone touching my shoulder, and it's my time to speak. But after her impactful speech, I need to gather myself for my moment on stage.

As I step forward, the room hushes, and all eyes turn to me.

Taking a deep breath, I look around the room and glance at the entrance. I blink a few times, but there he is. Asher. His eyes lock onto mine instantly, and the void within my heart is filled.

"Thank you all for being here tonight; for being a part of this incredible journey," I say. "Tonight is a testament to the power of unity, compassion, and the unwavering spirit that defines the human experience. Each face in this room, each story woven into the fabric of this shelter, is a testament to the invincible strength that emerges when we stand together."

My gaze sweeps across the diverse crowd, connecting with the eyes of survivors, supporters, and those who have tirelessly worked to make this moment possible.

"Wings Of Hope was born from a dream; a dream to create a space where the echoes of pain could be replaced with the harmonies of healing. A place where shattered wings could be mended and strengthened.  Today, it stands not just as a physical structure but as a symbol of triumph over adversity, a testament to the collective power of resilience."

A murmur of agreement ripples through the audience, and I sense the shared heartbeat of those who have found solace within these walls.

With tears in my eyes, I let my heart speak. "Wings Of Hope was born out of a dream to provide solace to those in need, but it's also a reflection of the battles I have fought within myself. For years, I carried the weight of an abusive relationship, a past that cast shadows on my present. The fear, the pain, and the scars were the silent companions on my journey."

A murmur of understanding ripples through the room. I feel the collective empathy, the shared acknowledgment of pain, and the strength derived from confronting it.

"As we stand here tonight, rebuilt and reborn, I want to acknowledge the transformative power of being brave. Lucy spoke about it eloquently—bravery is not the absence of fear, but the audacity to face it. To acknowledge our vulnerabilities, to share our truths, and to stand united in the pursuit of healing."

My eyes find Asher in the crowd, his gaze unwavering. The room fades around us as I continue. "Working alongside these incredible women, witnessing their resilience, has been my own source of strength. The courage I see in each survivor mirrors the bravery I strive to embody in my life. The battle is ongoing, the scars may linger, but the collective spirit of sisterhood within these walls propels me forward."

The room is silent, the air heavy with shared emotions. I can feel Asher's gaze, a connection that anchors me in this vulnerable moment.

"As we step into this new chapter, let the symphony of bravery drown out the echoes of the past. May Wings Of Hope be not just a shelter but a soaring beacon, guiding others through the storms of healing. Tonight, we celebrate not just a structure rebuilt but the enduring spirit within. Together, we cast aside shadows, embracing the light of collective strength. This is not just a reopening; it's a proclamation of the human spirit's triumph over pain. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey."

The room erupts in applause and cheers, the resonance of shared courage echoing within the walls.

And then, as the applause fades, Asher walks towards me. The distance that had lingered between us evaporates and it's just us again. He takes my hands in his, his touch grounding and reassuring.

A soft kiss on my forehead, filled with a depth of emotion only he and I can understand. His eyes meet mine, and he whispers, "I'm so proud of you."

In this moment, surrounded by the echoes of triumph and the warmth of shared bravery, I know it's time. 

Time to be honest, time to share the burden I've carried in silence. 

The truth is a daunting mountain, but I'm tired of letting my scars win.

I've never been so scared to face my past, my father, and my future.

But, with the unwavering support of these women in my life, I know I can do it.

_____

A/N: I'm feeling hopeful! What about you?

PS: To every woman navigating through challenges at this moment, your strength and resilience do not go unnoticed. I see you, and I honor the courage that resides within you.❤️

XOXO

Celeste