MY THOUGHTS ON THIS SEASON'S MEANING....
I'd like to share w/you a very touching Christmas card message I received from our art center coordinator Leona M Rega...it made me feel so warm, proud and happy inside. But first a little personal story...
A couple days ago I allowed...ALLOWED... an acquaintance of mine to make me feel inadequate as a mom and a woman. This person insists women need to go back 300 yrs to when we were subservient to men and our place was in the home,kitchen and bedroom, and further thinking we should wait hand and foot, dress only for a man and never for ourselves, never touch a tool, cut a lawn, try to do car work, and even further she says any man who helps with housework is a "sissy" and that women today want to turn our men into women (lol)...but how I let her hurt me was her opinion that I should not work, but since I must as a single parent, it should be strictly 9am to 3pm while Nick is in school, that its wrong for me to work nights as a nurse, caring for another family's child while "pawning" my youngest off on his older sibling during the night...I dont know why it stirred up the anger and hurt it did in me. I tried to explain the necessity of a good job to support my family, and the pride I take in my work and also all the things I'm trying to do in addition...but she is apparently a bitter, closed minded, and slightly off balance person. She got downright nasty, and it turned heated...In a perfect little world I'd have had a model husband, perhaps be a stay at home mom, not have to work so much and be so tired all the time, always pay bills timely and with no worries etc...but thats not my reality, and once I detached myself from the sick opinions as well as this person, I saw clearly, I wouldn't really WANT all that...my life has made me who I am, all my struggles, successes and experiences. I don't have much to give others, but I try to give of myself, and I know I'm a loving mom, productive person, a good nurse and am now a valuable part of my community as well. I have wonderful kids, who even tho have some of their own struggles, are close and supportive of our family. My 21yr old son doesn't feel his little brother is pawned off on him while I work. We are supporting one another in the best ways possible so we can survive. I learned a lesson, that altho I'm the person who always tries to see others' views, and sometimes goes too far to try to understand but make them see a different view, there are just people who will always be negative, opinionated, jealous, and try to drag you down. I saw its a problem in her life and not my own...
This Christmas season, I learned that the best gifts are of family and friendship, and that expressions of appreciation are more priceless than gifts to open...the message in my card from Leona was I think one of my most precious this year, coming at a moment I need to look at the fine person I know I really am....
"Dear Kathleen...It is that time of year when moms like you and me run, run, run and try to accomplish all that we can to make sure our family has the best Christmas ever. Gifts are on everyone's mind and we stretch all our pennies to make sure we don't disappoint!
You Kathleen, give special gifts all the year through. You give gifts of kindness each week to your craft class children, you give the gift of patience, you behold the gift of love to those around you. You give the gift of peace in seeking harmony with others. You give the gift of selflessness, and most of all, the gifts of your time which is so precious. Thank you for sharing these gifts with me this year. I am thankful to have worked with you for the past several months...Leona"
Thank YOU Leona
