Before I stand on my soap box I guess I should thank you first for coming here... THANK YOU! OK, that's done *L* With this section of my home page, its my intention to put my thoughts, feelings, insights etc. on being female in the 90's or whats left of the 90's anyway. When I say female I mean all the women, wives, mothers, daughters and sisters out there. We've come a long way but there are times, too many times, that I feel we don't get appreciated for all that we do. Not the big things (we do those too) like head major corporations/agencies or make scientific/medical discoveries or create something that makes the rest of us wonder 'how did we ever live without it?' I'm talking about the small things... or what most consider the small things that we do.
A woman's life is complicated... I guess thats why most men say they don't understand us. We can be business orientated or we can be very relaxed and easy going. We are capable of experiencing every human emotion in just one day, sometimes even before noon. We often tackle many jobs in a mere 24 hour period... a wife, a mom, an employer, an employee, a maid, a cook, a butler, an instructor, a friend, a confidante and for those of us with kids... a teacher, a counselor, a nurse, a bodyguard, a chauffuere, an answering service... and the list goes on. We wear many different types of hats at any given time of the day. And when we finally get a chance to be ourself, its usually late at night and we are tired and grumpy and our husbands/boyfriends/lovers are STILL waiting to get their time in. Its no wonder why they dont understand us!
And why do we do all of it? I think its because being born female is a very special thing. We are born with the SINCERE capacity to sympathize for, care about and worry over all of those who we LOVE on an every day basis. Its not an easy job but hey... somebody has to do it (I think thats the MAIN reason why God created woman) There is no pay and the pats on the back are few and far between but the benefits are enormous. We are emotional, a trait we often get knocked for, but without it... where would we all be? We've all known the love of a woman, be it our Mothers, Sisters, Aunts or Wives (if you're male)... and that love is an unconditional love that deserves far more credit than what it often gets.
On this page, I'm going to post, or try to post, all of the inspirational thoughts on being a woman that I come across in my travels through life. At first sight, some may seem to be negative, but as you read through them the message should become clear. If you have something to contribute, please feel free to email it to me and I will post it here using your first name as the sender unless you object to that. I will also add links for women's issues on this page. I hope you will enjoy it! :)
(sent to me in email from Dawn)
WOMEN have strengths that amaze men. They carry children, they carry hardships, they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
WOMEN wait by the phone for a "safe at home call" from a friend or relative after a snowy drive home.
WOMEN have special qualities about them. They volunteer for good causes. They are pink ladies in hospitals, they bring food to shut ins. They are childcare workers, executives, attorneys, stay-at-home moms, biker babes and your neighbors. They wear suits, jeans, and they wear uniforms. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up for injustice. They are in the front row at PTA meetings. They vote for the person that will do the best job for family issues.
WOMEN walk and talk the extra mile to get their children in the right schools and for getting their family the right health care. They write to the editor, their congressmen and to the "powers that be" for things that make for a better life. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
WOMEN stick a love note in their husband's lunch box. They do without new shoes so their children can have them. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally.
WOMEN are honest, loyal, and forgiving. They are smart, knowing that knowledge is power; but they still know how to use their softer side to make a point.
WOMEN want to be the best for their family, their friends, and themselves. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy (or cry) when they hear about a birth or a new marriage. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
A WOMAN'S touch can cure any ailment. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. She can make a romantic evening unforgettable.
WOMEN come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. They live in homes, apartments and cabins. They drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin
WOMEN do more than just give birth. They bring joy and hope. They give compassion and ideals. They give moral support to their family and friends. And all they want back is a hug, a smile and for you to do the same to people you come in contact with. Women have a lot to say and a lot to give.
(sent to me in email from Ann)
When you came into the world, she held you in her arms. You thanked her by wailing like a banshee.
When you were 1 year old, she fed you and bathed you. You thanked her by crying all night long.
When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk. You thanked her by running away when she called.
When you were 3 years old, she made all your meals with love. You thanked her by tossing your plate on the floor.
When you were 4 years old, she gave you some crayons. You thanked her by coloring the dining room table.
When you were 5 years old, she dressed you for the holidays. You thanked her by plopping into the nearest pile of mud.
When you were 6 years old, she walked you to school. You thanked her by screaming, "I'M NOT GOING!"
When you were 7 years old, she bought you a ball. You thanked her by throwing it through the next-door-neighbor's window.
When you were 8 years old, she handed you an ice cream. You thanked her by dripping it all over your lap.
When you were 9 years old, she paid for music lessons. You thanked her by never even bothering to practice.
When you were 10 years old, she drove you all day, from soccer to gymnastics, to one birthday party after another. You thanked her by jumping out of the car and never looking back.
When you were 11 years old, she took you and your friends to the movies. You thanked her by asking to sit in a different row.
When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certain TV shows. You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.
When you were 13, she suggested a haircut that was becoming. You thanked her by telling her she had no taste.
When you were 14, she paid for a month away at summer camp. You thanked her by forgetting to write a single letter.
When you were 15, she came home from work, looking for a hug. You thanked her by having your bedroom door locked.
When you were 16, she taught you how to driver her car. You thanked her by taking it every chance you could.
When you were 17, she was expecting an important call. You thanked her by being on the phone all night.
When you were 18, she cried at your high school graduation. You thanked her by staying out partying until dawn.
When you were 19, she paid for your college tuition, drove you to campus, carried your bags. You thanked her by saying good-bye outside the dorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends.
When you were 20, she asked whether you were seeing anyone. You thanked her by saying, "It's none of your business."
When you were 21, she suggested certain careers for your future. You thanked her by saying, "I don't want to be like you."
When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation. You thanked her by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe.
When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your first apartment. You thanked her by telling your friends it was ugly.
When you were 24, she met your fiance and asked about your plans for the future. You thanked her by glaring and growling, "Muuhh-ther, please!"
When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you. You thanked her by moving halfway across the country.
When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby. You thanked her by telling her, "Things are different now."
When you were 40, she called to remind you of a relative's birthday. You thanked her by saying you were "really busy right now."
When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her. You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to their children.
And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you never did came crashing down like thunder. "Rock me baby, rock me all night long." The hand who rocks the cradle ... may rock the world". Let us take a moment of the time just to pay tribute and show appreciation mother. There's no substitute for her. Cherish every single moment. Though at times she may not be the best of friends, may not agree to our thoughts, she is still your mother!!! She will be there for you ... to listen to your woes, your braggins, your frustrations, etc. Ask yourself ... have you put aside enough time for her, to listen to her "blues" of working in the kitchen, her tiredness??? Be tactful, loving and still show her due respect though you may have a different view from hers. Once gone, only fond memories of the past and also regrets will be left. DON'T TAKE FOR GRANTED THE THINGS CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART. LOVE HER MORE THAN YOU LOVE YOURSELF. LIFE IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT HER...
I had the meanest mother in the world. While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs and toast. When other kids had cokes and french fries for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. As you might guess, my supper was different from theirs too. But at least I wasn't alone in my sufferings. My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother.
My mother insisted upon knowing where we were at all times. You'd have thought we were on a chain-gang. She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing. If we said we would be gone for an hour, she insisted that it not be an hour and five minutes. I am almost ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us, not once, but each time we did as we pleased. Can you imagine hitting a child just because he or she disobeyed?
The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed at nine each night and up early the next morning. We could not sleep until noon like our friends, and in fact, my mother broke the child labor law by making us work. We had to wash dishes, make beds, learn to cook, and all sorts of exhausting jobs. I do believe that she lay awake at night thinking up mean things to do to us.
She always insisted that we tell her the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us- and sometimes it nearly did.
By the time we were teenagers, our lives became even more unbearable. There was none of this tooting of the horn of a car for us to come running. She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and our friends come to the door and get us. I forgot to mention that while our friends were dating at 12 or 13, my old-fashioned mother refused to let us date until the age of 16 or past. Sixteen that is, for dating to go only to school functions and church services.
As you can see, my mother was a complete failure- none of us has ever been arrested, divorced or beaten his mate.
There were many things we missed- things other children were allowed to do- and whom do we have to blame? That's right- our mean mother.She forced us to grow into God-fearing, educated, honest adults.
