International Women's Day - a time to recognize the unique struggles and strengths we women face and possess. To celebrate the influence and sacrifice of those who came before us and stand beside us. A day to look ahead and dream of a better world for the little girls who watch us and follow us. The theme for 2019 is Balance for Better. Better is a goal we all could - and maybe should - have at the top of our bucket list. Better at being good humans. Better a being good faith-keepers. Better at being examples of grace and peace. Balance, I recall from my trainer-friend, Tina, comes from core-strength. I'm working on that. Still.
I wrote a blog post at work yesterday - in answer to an internal social media query: What does International Women's Day mean to you? I took a few minutes and wrote about my mother. Big surprise. I'll share what I wrote below. But as I scrolled through my photos last night, looking for a particular picture of Mama and me, I was struck anew by the incredible women I'm allowed to call my family and friends. I paused at each one and marveled that I get to have them/you in my life. There were pictures at weddings, at parties and in my back yard - in other people's back yards, too, some yards I don't even know the people who live there (hello, Azalea Festival!). On the beach, at restaurants, in our homes, outside the McDonald's off I-20. At church, in the Pumpkin Patch, in the pulpit. Wearing big hats, fancy dresses, clerical robes, ratty t-shirts. Some recent and taken with phone-cameras - some from long time ago and snapped with precious film then sent off at the drug store to develop. Long awaited and returned with color-patinas now filter-imitated. Extravagant blessings all. Undeserved - how did I get to be so lucky? Riches I often take for granted. I'll do better. Here's to you my dear, brave tribe. I love and celebrate you, each and every one. XOXO
Here's yesterday's blog:
My mother, Beatrice, was my best friend and remains my number one hero although she's been gone from this earth for over 18 years. She was born in 1920 and lived through some very trying times here in America. She was a child during The Great Depression and knew scarcity that I cannot imagine. She watched her brothers and friends go off to war - some never to return. She was very intelligent and highly creative, yet she only had a high-school education and never worked outside the home. Her uncle offered to send her to college but her father refused. He said it would be a waste of money to send a girl to school. She married my daddy and turned her attention to our family, she was the best cook I’ve ever known and could sew and quilt beautifully. She always kept a vase of something lovely on the kitchen counter – whether it was a store-bought flower or a collection of leaves out of the yard - and a crystal candy dish filled with chocolates. She read and worked word puzzles as she sat in her chair in the evenings. She had her own bank account and saved every penny she could get her hands on – she taught me to be thrifty. She told me that she felt her best contribution to the world wasn’t something she did but someone she raised. Wow. When I think of her spirit and resilience in the face of obstacles that could so easily have trampled her, I find the inspiration I need to do my best now and to make things better for the next generation of women who will follow in my footsteps. I carry her with me every step of the way and I know she would be proud of my every success; however, I think she would be most interested in the person I’ve become. Like Mama, I believe the best thing I have ever done for this world is to raise two amazing boys. They are both fathers now – three little girls and a little boy between them – one of whom bears the name Beatrice – all of whom reap the benefits of her character and selfless investment in our family. I celebrate her, today. And all the women who were told they weren’t worth the trouble to educate, yet thrived in their own ways. I pray for strength so that I might honor their sacrifices, imitate their grace and perhaps leave behind something lovely and sweet for the countertop.
Funny that IWD and Lent coincide this year. Fitting/funny. Reflection brings gratitude and gratitude praise. And so, my Lenten reflection begins with this praise: Thank you, God, for the treasure of girl-friends and girl-family. For the fellowship - make that lady-ship - that makes us better together. It is a gift. They are gifts. You are a gift. Selah.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17.
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