International Women’s Day

I value myself. I like myself. I find that I do my best. I consider myself bold.
I have jumped into new situations many times in my life, from immigrating to another country, to going back to school in my forties, to leaving my husband…only to come back to him again, to writing fiction and to owning restaurants.
I have not followed a straight path, with one goal in mind. That is looking at me from the outside; how I may be perceived. However, the one goal I’ve always pursued is an internal and selfish one: to do what I find the right thing to do at the moment.
I became a mother and was the mother I believed in. Not the mother others expected me to be. I believed my children to be their own people, growing up to be themselves. They are not a clone of me. They may resemble me in some ways but mostly, they’re made up of their environment, their experiences, and their outlook.
I became a late entry student. I delved into the arts: painting, theater, dance, and writing. It’s a struggle, if you’re out to make money from your creativity. But I’m not, because I’m selfish; I’m doing this for me. The truth behind the reality behind the mask wants out. I follow that.
I became a partner, a married partner for 39 years, now an unmarried partner to the same man. We grew up together. We struggled together. We pursued a life of dreams. We worked hard and had children. We never reached our dreams. But we shared the work and the struggle. We found satisfaction from creating life.
I was always an artist. If, by artist, you visualize an independent spirit that sets down her own rules to live by, yes, you’re looking at me. Finding my own way, following my own ideas, and fetching my own fortune.
I was always a feminist. If, by feminist, you visualize an equal to you, to them, and to everybody, yes, you’re looking at me. Learning to ignore intimidation, letting new thoughts in, and living life in my own skin.
I applaud women for their resilience, their patience, their instinct, and their insight.
Happy International Women’s Day!
How refreshing and affirming to read the words of a woman who approves of herself. Cheers to you, Elizabeth, and Happy Woman’s Day!
thank you Jan!
cheers to you 😉
I hope you had a wonderful Women’s Day. Lovely post!
Thank you! Yes, went for a walk, wrote my post, and made eggplant lasagne.
Keep fighting. 🙂
where are you in the world?
I’m French, but we live in Mexico. Have for the past 30 years. And it does p…s me off to see so little progress…
got you. i think the US is backwards from my home country of denmark!
we consider being more in denmark and in mexico
Sorry, didn’t quite catch you. What do you mean “more in denmark and in mexico”?
Considering to live summers in Denmark, fall/winter with children and grandchildren and spring in Mexico. Short term renting and free with the kids:)
Okay. Sounds like a good plan. Thinking of buyind a house in the south of france. And move from one place to the other. Best of luck on your plans.
same to you!