An Amazon Journey

I’ve been having thoughts about what it means to be a “strong woman.” I  particularly need to address my childhood ideas of what this creature was. When I was growing up in the South, particularly during the 70s, the idea of a strong woman was someone who forsook all others to care for herself. She was a woman who opened her own doors and stood on top of desks and regularly incited riot. She had no need for makeup, deodorant, razors, or depilatories. Her suits were mannish and her footwear practical.  My daddy and uncles called her all sorts of names and used the word “feminist” with the same rage they called someone a nazi or socialist.  Strong women were those who leaned on no one and accepted no help.

Can anyone say crap?!

I am surrounded by an amazing assortment of women, each unique, beautiful, and yes, strong. They inspire me with their uplifting spirituality, with their commitment to their family and home,  with their wit and intelligence, with their graciousness and gentleness, and others by their roaring strength and determination. I take little pieces of each of these women with me each time we share space, whether it is here on the Net, over tea at Starbucks, or kneeling side-by-side at the communion rail. The older I get, I find more and more things to admire in my own mother, my step-mother, and my mother-in-law. My crones, my wise women, and my mentors. The older women I sing with, worship with, and eat and booze with…they all uplift me and weave threads of strength through me. My thirties and forties friends with their mothering and vitality. My younger babes with their energy and enthusiasm. How amazing is that? How lucky I consider myself to be. I spent the day at  home with Burns and Maddie while snow fell and neighborhood kids run amuck through my house. I kept having these amazing little moments of inspiration, and each one had a face- a gorgeous, animated face. She looked a bit like….

Mom and Mom, Carole, Dee, Dara, Ruis, Rowan, Peggy, Connie, Kim, Dawn, Marlene, Jennifer, Ellen, Julie, Jennifer C., Mishelle, Laurie, Sistah Susan, Monna, Ann, Sally, Claire, Jerry, Barb, Becky, Martha B., Beverly, Denise, Peggy, Margaret, Mickey, Tina, Elizabeth, Ronda, Dannie, Selena, Jean, Martha D, Teresa, Elizabeth, Sue, Valerie, Katie, Helen, Ellen, Nan, MArietta, Peggy, Sharon, Margaret, Janet, Vanessa, Beth, Jennifer A., Sam, Julie, Susan N., Gail, Lois, Pam, Lucinda, Ellen, Kim, Fran, Lorinda, Roberta, Tracee, Monica, Diane, Ruth, Kay, Andrea, Julie H. Kim, Sarah, Amy, Sabrina, Emily, Abby, Kelly, Patrice, Betty, Florine, Lori, Kathy, Marida, Wanda and ohhhh so many others. I love and respect each of you. Your gifts are staggering and each time our paths cross, you bless me.

So I  challenge each of you ladies who read this to recognize and honor your gifts and your beauty. You are such an inspiration to others. And if someone as selfish and near-sighted as me can recognize your glow, then by Godde, you must SHINE! My definition of a strong woman has morphed into something very different than that 70s hairy broad. Today…well,  she is all of you.

Mwah