All the women....

 Growing up I felt so out of place in my extended family. I think this was even reaffirmed when my Great Grandma made me a quilt and explained how the pattern was different because so was I. However, as I have been growing older and experiencing more of life's obstacles I have realized that there are underlying themes that despite surface level differences connect me with all the women in my family.

Recently, my grandma's sister passed away. It was hard on my family back in Michigan as it was not planned. Also, difficult because my Aunt Sharon was a staple in the family. She had this infectious joy that surrounded her. She was also as adorable as could be. Red hair, freckles, and a little button nose. She made you feel good when she was around. When I think of her I think of, "hope." For some reason she just resonated that to me. The loss of her has made my mind continually think of the women in my family. My mom, grandma, aunts, cousins. They have been on my heart constantly. .
There is one central theme that continues to emerge.

I COME FROM A LONG LINE OF STRONG WOMEN.

Life has thrown all the women in my life curve balls. Maybe even more than curve balls. Probably those pitches in baseball that pelt the batter. Yet, these women keep going. They never give up. I think my grandma Betty said, "we don't air our dirty laundry so I won't get into details. However, aunts, cousins, and so forth have battled abusive marriages, addictions, severe mental illness, sorrows and other challenges. Despite this we have also risen. Not only risen, but thrived. And it is beautiful and amazing. It makes me so proud to know that this is my history, my background, my blood.

Thinking about this makes me realize all the gifts this has given me...

1) Empathy: Many times members of my  family have struggled. Yet, they give and share and love others so wholeheartedly. My grandma worked in special education, my aunt works in special education, my other aunt ran a title one school, a cousin is fighting rural poverty. Any time there is anything everyone bands together to help, raise money, make food...whatever it takes.

2) Creativity: Not only are the women strong they are artists. I can't say I have a ton of this gift, but a smaller dose. My great grandma could quilt and crochet. Even when she lost her eyes she continued to create. My cousin is a brilliant photographer. She can depict feelings in her photographs and capture the uniqueness of each person. My mom has always drawn. My earliest memory is the drawing of the Led Zeppelin faceless angel cover. My aunt uses her art to spread awareness over mental illness. My daughter took advanced art this year and found her calling.

3) Resilience: Strength...courage...motivation...determination...grit...this resounds in every single one of the women. It has been the most valuable gift given. We do not give up. We fight through. I mean we are powerful. Women in my family have walked away from terrible marriages uncertain of how to pay their bills, where they would live etc. Women in my family have faced depression and anxiety  and found light when they were surrounded by dark. Women in my family have learned how to pull though hard times. They kept going. They persevered.

I hold these gifts close. I am fortunate to share these with my own daughter. I love the beauty in these gifts and in these women.

So as I continue to write the next page of the next chapter it only makes sense the title should be:

Strong Women: May We Know Them, May We Be Them, May We Raise Them