Strong Woman

 

Strong Woman. When I saw this shirt while shopping about a year ago, I thought it was cute, but then I realized the size was too large. But I still took a picture. It reminded me of a saying, 'strong woman', sort of generic but meaningful enough. Or emulating who I want to be, a 'strong woman'. 

But looking back, I can think of countless strong women who fit into this definition.

I first think of my Mom, who is so fearlessly strong in who she is, and what she is about. All that she had to go through and endure last Fall with your surgeries for skin cancer was brutal, challenging, crushing for her. I could see the pain in her eyes for all that she was enduring. But she was still holding and remaining strong. She didn't like to dwell or talk about it, and clung to the cross and her faith to pull her through on the hardest and darkest of days.

I think of my dear sister, with the constant demands of motherhood, of own suffering moments, mixed in with the lightness and joys. Her demeanor to fight for and see the good, the blessings, graces even when it's hard. Her love for baking, writing, possibilities and decorating are inspiring and are what keeps her mind light and full, as well and giving to her children. Her listening ear gives solace to the downtrodden. 

I also think of my other sisters, in their virtue, motherhood, gifts and mission.

The confirmation leader the minute I met her, I knew she was a strong leader and woman. She was passionate about her faith, bold and determined. Her sufferings or hardships of the past she would bring up and mention from time to time as examples for the topics but somehow I felt she was able to rise above it. Maybe her choleric tendencies and boldness were what endured, as well as her mission for teaching and sharing her faith. 

When I think of strong women, I immediately thought of the camp video my sister showed me from almost 2 decades ago (!) with all the counselors singing and having a good time into the early morning of the last cusp of the week. It brought back so much nostalgia. I looked up to all of them as a camper, and some of them included my sisters too. They all seemed (and were) so grown up, cool, beautiful, fun, smart, etc. and so forth. Strong, faithful woman they were, and even looking back, I know it to be true since they were such good role models, even if I didn't have every one of them as a counselor, I noticed, I watched, and was impacted by their example and character. 

My sister recently told me I am strong. Sometimes I do not always think so- maybe I'm too hard on myself, idealistic or just put it aside and focus on the hard. But I know God gives me, gives us specific graces for the moment and what we can handle. Our struggle makes us strong with God's graces. 

Strong women I also admire- Our Lady and the saints.