I climbed my first “14er” this past Saturday. Although there were throngs of people on the trail and I was not alone, I was climbing solo, as in no other friends or family were with me. I had the resources and the equipment to successfully complete the hike, and I had the agency to decide to go. I had the luxury of being up in the mountains and the open schedule to accommodate the outing. But I also had the luxury of living in a land and time where, as a single woman, I could decide for myself to go for the hike and could safely do so, even aside from the inherent but unlikely risks of climbing a 14er.

My heart breaks for my fellow women in Afghanistan today. Climbing a 14er in the absolutely gorgeous country of southwestern Colorado is the farthest from their minds as they flee for safety and shelter. My heart breaks that their very gender will be (or has been) the source of terror and trauma. My heart breaks that they a submerging into survival and may never know the personal agency that I so easy take for granted.

Oh Lord, come quickly. We need you to make all things right again and wipe every tear from our eyes.