Day 14: My Hands

My hands,  

formed in my mother’s womb,  

created from love.  

Born into a family  

who believed I was destined to do  

great things.

They were molded by love,  

crafted with care by the hands of my mother,  

who whispered stories of strength and resilience  

as I grew within her.  

Her touch, warm and gentle,  

was the first to teach these hands the language of love.  

These hands, my hands,  

inherited from generations of women who came before me,  

carry the weight of their hopes,  

the unspoken dreams passed down  

through time.

So what will these hands do?

They will not remain still,

they will not be just existing.

These hands will move things greater than myself

if not for me,  

then for the daughters who will come after.  

These hands will pave a path  

that is rich with possibility.

And every step forward on the path 

holds the promise of a future built on love,  

strength, and the sacrifices.

Sacrifices more than just mine,

but my mother’s and hers.

These hands will show others my truth. 

They will speak for me and through me

so that others know the story of who I am.  

They will represent me,  

not solely with words alone,  

but with the work they do,  

the change they bring.  

My truth will be evident in every action,  

in every act of kindness,  

in every moment where my hands are used to uplift  

rather than tear down.

These hands will support me. 

Guide me.  

Take me to places my ancestors could only dream.

They will be my strength in moments of weakness,  

my reminder of who I am when I am lost.  

They will pick me up when I fall,  

and hold me steady when the world seems unsure.  

My hands were made to help me speak the truth  

even when they shake.

In moments of fear,  

when my voice is too quiet to be heard,

my hands will carry the message forward.  

Even as they tremble with uncertainty,  

they will write,  

they will create,  

they will build, 

they will unite.

The truth will not be silenced.  

These hands, born of love,  

will be the vessel through which the truth is made known.

My hands were made to help me create things.  

Things that will outlive me for better.

These hands will sculpt,  

will create,  

will write,  

They will craft legacies for me. 

But also for those who will walk in my footsteps.  

Or anyone who has ever felt like me.

Loved like me.

Felt like me.

The things these hands create  

will carry my name forward,  

long after I am gone.

My hands that were created with love will build love.

In every touch, 

these hands will spread the love that they’ve learned.

They will nurture the sick

they will comfort the hurting

they will heal those who’ve been overlooked by the world.

In a world that often forgets kindness,  

these hands will be a reminder

that love can go a long way.

Joy and love are not lost in darkness.

My hands,

created in my mother’s womb.

The power they hold unknown.

About the Author

Nataliah Aleman, High School Senior and Somos Escritoras Alumna

Nataliah is currently a senior in high school. Once she graduates, she hopes to major in biology, pursue dental school, and eventually practice orthodontics. She has been a part of Somos Escritoras since the 7th grade and is thrilled to have found a group of girls who are just as inspired and passionate as she is. She wants to thank her parents and family for all that she has and all the knowledge they’ve given her and pushed her to pursue. Also Dr. Tracey Flores for being there in all stages and eras of her life and writing.

About the Blog Series

The #LatinaLuminaries Blog Series by Somos Escritoras. The series was created to illuminate the wisdom, experiences, voices, and truths of Latina women and girls and the broader Latinx community. The blog series features writing from escritoras (participants) and writing mentors from Somos Escritoras Latinx Writing Workshop. Published Latina authors, writers, poets, and illustrators who presented at our workshop also contributed to the blog series.