MSI Sister Diaries: I Hold Water - Oluwatoyin Hines
Some MSI Sisters recently participated in Challenge America's very first Virtual Music Therapy Retreat, where they had the opportunity to discover the healing power of music and write their experiences into song with professional Songwriters. Read more about our Music Therapy Retreats HERE.
The following song and its explanation were written by Army Veteran, Oluwatoyin Hines.
Oluwatoyin describes what the song means to her:
Words are powerful. The impactful sentiments of this song echo my experience as a survivor of trauma and path of healing from holding the sacred secrets of others through my military service. I spoke my truth to receive justice. I hold others' truths in counseling service to maintain sacred space. Water is fluid (metaphorically and literally). My oasis is the sacred garden that I cultivated on this healing journey. The oasis reminds me things bloom in time, they also wither. There is beauty in it all. The elements and all the energies being part of this beautiful journey too. I hold water, still.
"I Hold Water" By Toyin & Challenge America Songwriter, Melody
A vessel of earth
Shaped by wet hands
Forged in the flames
Dancing on air
Shrinking slightly from the fire
Then becoming stronger
Yes I hold water
I hold water
Oasis of earth
Planted by these hands
The sun is a flame
Floating on air
Reaching, growing, green with life
And Flowing over
Yes I hold water
Feeling empty
Throat a desert
Voice is shaky
I disappear
Sacred guides me
into my oasis
Awaken the divine
Diminish my fear
I am earth
I am fire
I am water
I am air
I am enough
I hold water
Click below to listen to the song:
One of the most important parts of a community, a sisterhood, and a strong and unbreakable friendship is the mutual exchange of stories and experiences. There are many experiences that are unique to who women Veterans are, what they have endured, and survived.
The Military Sisterhood Initiative's goal is to build a community that fights together, laughs together, cries together, and heals together; therefore, we have taken the initiative to tell the stories of women Veterans through our Sister Diaries.
To learn more and to join the Sisterhood, visit www.militarysisterhoodinitiative.org.
