May brings many celebrations that honor women. It is Mother’s Day weekend, but I have seen so much more on social media this month celebrating women. There are many women I know and admire, and I wish to celebrate them.
The Mothers we Know and Admire
They are not all with us, which gives me an even greater sense of appreciation that my ninety-two-year-old mother is still quite well and living. Admiration does not begin to embody all my thoughts and feelings for this woman. Not all mothers are admired through life and even after they have passed. It is the way of our fragile and emotional human nature. But for those who have been there for us you deserve some kudos and few more as we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend.
Wiping tears, listening, making tough decisions on behalf of their children, working exhaustively at home and in their professional lives rank them at the top of the admiration ladder for many of us. They may nudge with occasional guilt trips, scold you and put you in the time out chair, refuse to let you do things they know are not in your best interest, and give you the side eye when you’ve done something a mom knows will end unfavorably for you.
Has your mom stood beside you through a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and recovery? Mine has, twice! Double fist bump, Mom! Do you have any idea the heartbreak this causes? Shame on you breast cancer for doing this to our sweet Moms! Cooking, doing laundry, talking to my children, playing cards, and distracting them while I lay curled up on the couch after chemo, that’s what my Mom did for me. How about you? What do you remember that your Mom did for you during breast cancer?
Nurses In My Life I Know and Admire
We each choose professions based on our interest and skill. Has anyone ever told you after you answer their questions about what you do for a living and you hear, “Oh I could never do that!” I often feel this way about nurses. Let’s just get down to it. Human body fluids, crying, unhappy patients not to mention the management of caregivers only just begins to list the many things that nurses do. Let’s switch to the medical jargon they must know. They take orders from doctors, check drains, change IV’s, document patient medicines.
The profession of nursing is not for the faint of heart. However, they must have compassionate hearts. Let’s weave into this the fact many go home to wipe tears of their children, cook, and clean for their families after tending to their patients for long hours on their feet in hospital and clinic. Gold star for all the nurses who do so much for us! We admire your tenacity, work ethic, and choice of your profession.
Women Leaders in Business
This category is wide ranging. Why am I even putting this as a category? Because as a woman who started a nonprofit, I meet and speak to some of the most inspiring, brilliant, creative leaders in the world through the work I do. I may have just hung up the phone, logged off a ZOOM call, of wrapped up a vibrant conversation with a businesswoman a conference or coffee. Many time I reflect on these moments and think about how much motivation I collect from these encounters with women leaders in business.
Many have become trusted, close friends over the years. What I seem to admire most is their sense of collaboration, grit, vision, and goal setting skills. I dare say I have modeled some of my own business practices from these women of dignity and grace. Thank you for making me a better businesswoman in a world that at times seems insurmountable with all its biases and roadblocks.
Women, This is Our Time!
Stay the course you loving Moms, you gentle and caring nurses, you bold and gallant business women. We are standing on the shoulders of giants. These women came many years before us paving the way for us to succeed in this world.
On Mother’s Day and during the month of May when many women I know and admire are celebrated, here are notes of praise and admiration to each one of you.
My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.
Maya Angelou