A Decade Later

On August 28th it marked 10 years since my mother has passed. I still remember that night as if it happened yesterday. I still miss her everyday and wish I could just pick up the phone to call her but that just isn't possible. I believe that is the hard part about losing a parent so young. You don't even know to ask certain questions and when trying to figure out who you really are, those important people just aren't around. So of course I was feeling a little down but in honor of my mother, I got dressed, did my hair and "put my face on." Of course I put on my jewelry as well. My mother was still very much a 1950's housewife in the idea that appearance is everything. This was a woman that kept a toothbrush and toothpaste in her pocketbook.

Then I started to watch some old black and white films. Oh how I love curling up on the couch and being able to watch "The Best Years of Our Lives." Now I don't mean to step on feminism in anyway. Do I think a woman should be placed in the home and not allowed in the work place? NO NOT EVEN CLOSE! But I do love the grace, poise, wit and fashion this era portrayed. The idea that you could be strong and classy at the same time, to me is what a woman should be. Would you have caught any of these woman at the grocery store, picking up the kids, or shopping in the pajamas? Not a chance.

I love being able to speak to my grandmother. A woman who was born in the 30's, married in the 40's, and had children in the 50's. While she may be a woman with many traditional values, I love her outlook on certain situations. My aunt (her daughter) is probably laughing right now. My grandmother loves to complain but I don't mind listening. She reminds me so much of what I love about women growing up in the era.

Now back to my mother. A modern woman with old values. I guess now that I am getting older with a family of my own, Im really starting to embrace being a woman. But what does that mean? Is it a separate definition for each individual? Drawing from my history, my experiences and my goals this would be my conclusion. A woman should be strong enough to hold her life together. Independent enough to take care of her responsibilities. Graceful, witty, sophisticated, educated (not just in book smarts but street smarts as well), kind, loving, lovable, risk taking, and adventurous. But most of all a woman should have confidence in herself and in her abilities. Yup I think that sums it up.