“In the merit of righteous women our forefathers were redeemed from Mitzrayim, and in their merit are we destined to be redeemed.”

In your merit…

You, waking in the middle of the night to nurse your baby;

And you, caring for your elderly mother in your home.

You, going out on date after date without letting despair quash your hopes;

And you, still going to workeven on those hardest days.

You, who despite it all, brought another child into this world;

And you, willing to try treatment after treatment, to hold a baby.

You who lost your temper one time less today;

And you, who hid your pain, and came to dance at your friend’s wedding.

You, saving lives;

And you, battling sickness.

You, distributing Shabbos candles on Fridays;

And you, bringing comfort toa depressed friend.

You, torn between your home and your job, trying to do the best you can at both;

And you, who gave up your dream to devote yourself to your children.

You, covering your hair or your knees despite the difficulty;

And you, saving your most beautiful clothing to wear inside your home.

You, sitting at your daughter’s bedside day and night;

And you, who lost your son, and yet still, sometimes, can face the world.

You, who can hear their comments, yet bite your tongue; 

And you, who asked for help.

You, whose husband gets home close to midnight;

And you, from a broken home, who has become a loving mother.

You, giving up personal comfort in your tireless work for the community;

And you, who drove back to your son’s school to bring him the sandwich he forgot.

You, who picked up the phone and shared the words that weighed on your heart;

And you, who did not make that call.

You, cuddling your special-needs child;

And you, whispering prayers non-stop because you don’t know where your child is.

You, whose legs won’t carry you, but whose prayers are carried high at Kever Rachel;

And you, the great-grandmother, saying Birchos Hashachar at the Kosel before sunrise.

You, raising your children alone;

And you, who braved a second marriage.

You, who cleaned up after your son for the fifth time today;

And you, whose emunah has not wavered despite all you’ve seen.

You, the first awake, so you can daven undisturbed;

And you, cooking for your grandchildren with a smile on your face.

You, never knowing how many guests will grace your table;

And you, holding back from another piece of chocolate.

You, on bedrest for months;

And you, supporting women in childbirth in the middle of the night and on Shabbos.

You, who did not ask your husband for help while he was learning Torah;

And you, who yesterday remembered the neighbor who lives alone.

You, going to classes so you can establish a holy and joyful home;

And you, the artist, bringing beauty to your home and community.

You, who smiled at your children even when you felt stressed;

And you, giving your husband encouragement and support.

You, who left it all for the truth;

And you, who knew when to let go.

You, visiting the mentally ill;

And you, who said sorry first.

You, reading the Shema every night, even when you ache with exhaustion;

And you, singing Modeh Ani each morning anew.

You, knowing the right words to make someone feel good;

And you, remembering to pat yourself on the back.

And you as well, who are not mentioned here, about whom nothing will ever be written, about whom no one knows a thing, and perhaps even you do not recognize your strength.

There is Someone who knows,

And in your merit, and that of your friends, He will speedily redeem us.

By this time, your husband is drunk, your kids are climbing up the walls (that are stained by wine), and you are going banana's. You finally admit you can't handle it any more, you just can't…

But here's the catch – this moment becomes a magical one, during which you're faced with the hard truth: you aren't in control. No, you don't need to drink in order to 'let go', Hashem has other ways prepared for you as a women to reach that same 'high…'.

So, have a happy Purim, and enjoy letting go and letting g-d enter your life, a little more.