Before mom left, she made all of us girls fabulous aprons, and when I put that apron on I truly feel like a domestic goddess! "I feel pretty. Oh so pretty. I feel pretty and witty and bright." And life really seems to become something out of a musical, which the girls LOVE.
The girls and I have been having a lot of fun in the kitchen; whipping up homemade yummies for all to enjoy. I have found I really do enjoy being home and taking care of my family. And it is good for me, I have found a balance lately of giving myself to them, and then being able to go out and have some grown up time too. On Monday nights, I find myself saying as I head out the door to dance class, "Now enjoy your meal, I made it with lots of love, and help your Daddy out by cleaning up".
When I was in college, working on my women's study minor, I thought a strong woman went out into the world and showed those men what she could do. My motto was, "What you(implying men) can do, I can do better". And that worked to some extent for awhile. But I was always comparing myself to what a man could do, which somehow defeated the whole purpose of trying to make me feel strong. Then when we adopted the girls, I thought I had to show them how to be strong women by example. Only what that did to me was make me stressed and frazzled (not such a great role model).
So I took a week, and stepped out of my current life; found what really made me who I was. When I came home, I knew I could be strong, loving, traditional, and a good role model. Everybody told me these things, but I couldn't grasp it until I was ready. Life is good right now, I have been cooking, sewing, creating, dancing, and getting out and about. And I am look forward to raising some strong, independent, self-assured girls, leading by example.
~ Thanks mom.
