International Women's Day

Did you know yesterday was International Women's Day? Did you have a celebration? Or reflect on all the amazing women in your life? I must admit, I had never heard of the occasion until yesterday. But now that I know about it, I hope to have an annual celebration.

Last night I went to a Girl's Night Out celebration. It was so great. Our evening started with an hour of yoga, followed by an assortment of delicious salads, soups, and breads. While we ate chocolate mousse for desert we soaked our feet in a salt bath. It was heaven!

In honor of International Women's Day we talked about the many women we admire and qualities we would like to emulate. Who are some the women you admire? Why? What does it mean to be a woman? I love being a mother, but isn't it great to think of womanhood apart from motherhood? Sometimes it is difficult to separate the two, especially after you become a mother, but I think it is important to remember what makes us - us! Do we take time to remember who we are as people - our likes, our talents, our goals, our dreams? Or do we let ourselves become so consumed and overwhelmed with dirty diapers, dishes to wash, laundry to be done, food to be prepared, etc that we get lost in our lives?

To be a woman is such an incredible thing! We have so much strength, goodness, and power inside us.

Here are three woman that have greatly impacted my life and why:

1. My mom - for giving birth to me (which wasn't easy), for raising me (which wasn't easy either), teaching me, instilling in me a love of learning and education, for her patience, faith, and foresight during the teenage years, for all her sacrifices, and for the good woman that she is.

2. My aunt Gayle - for being such a strength and example to me at such a critical time in my life (the awful transition from being a teenager to becoming an adult); for knowing just what to say, and when to not say anything at all; for giving me advice, and then backing away while I made my own decisions.

3. Professor Giralt - for showing me that a woman can have a family and reach her educational/career goals while still maintaining balance; for encouraging me to reach outside my comfort zone and to stretch my goals. One day soon I hope to put into practice the things I learned from her, and return to school.