Strength of a woman

There's nothing like spending a weekend away with another mom to really appreciate all that we as moms do. A friend of mine sent me a song years ago by Shaggyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mILsx_c-vXw&feature=artistob&playnext=1&list=TLLf4XEAZJZ8c, called Strength of a Woman. It's a great anthem. He's a good guy.

As Jane & I are busy trying to get whatever it is our kids hearts wanted for the holidays, including trips to similar stores repeated times to compare prices, on-line shopping, wrapping etc. we do it all, Jane mentions her son asking for just two things for Christmas, one of which was a diamond. She could have dismissed this obviously irrational wish, but no. She saw a large fake one at a store in her hometown that she was planning of getting for him, cause that's what we do, our hearts propel us toward what we think will make those we love happy.

The strength of a woman allows us to endure heartbreak and still love, entertain thoughts of running away ( as my mom often mentioned) and stick around to grocery shop another day. Be ready to strip a child from their most precious phone if one more rude remark comes out of his mouth, only to have my heart melt as I gazed upon that same child,who fell asleep at 7:45 last night, when I went to see if he had put his clothes away yet.

I have had the privilege of counseling women who have had to have the strength to bury their babies,or sister, or husband and get out of bed the next day.  The mother of a toddler who has the strength to endure cancer and divorce at the same time, and still find joy. Women who are so overwhelmed by life's demands, both real and perceived, that they are suffocating, and  yet fight their way back. One step at a time, with a little help from their red tent mates, to create a life where their needs matter as well.

It was Women's Weekend at Settler's Green in North Conway. We did not know this before hand, but saw groups of women, some in pink boas, some in devils horns, Purple feather hats, others tiaras.  We asked,it was a bit unusually so we asked, they were all symbolizing their red tent mates they brought with them to the Super Bowl for some women, Outlet Shopping. I thought about the purpose of our trip, and I am sure most of the other moms out there, and while only worrying about ourselves moment to moment was a treat, (Yes we did get matching sweaters for ourselves to wear too) we were there for others cause that's what we do. And for the most part, we do it gladly. We ask, we listen, we hold, we bury, we cry, we cook, we fix, we learn, we love, we set boundaries, we wrap, we bake, we decorate, we send the cards, we take care of the teachers, we hang the curtains.

As Jane's bumper sticker says " Moms Rock". Cause with the strength of a woman, that's what we do.