I know next to nothing about women and only slightly more about men. Actually, let me correct that. I know a ton relative to men, it just doesn’t amount to much. There’s just not much there to explore.
Every time I study a new group of people in whatever place and whatever time, I’m blown to bits by the strength of the women. Currently I am midway through Isabel Wilkerson’s first book and it’s a home run. The Warmth of Other Suns, is the story of America’s most prolific migration. From 1915-1970, across the span of six decades, over 6,000,000 black southerners fanned out across America in search of real freedom. They left everything behind and were mostly unwelcome even when they crossed the “imaginary” line into freedom.
The men were amazing in their resilience but, again, the women had it so much harder. They just did.
Today, and most everyday, I am trying to better understand why we tell our sons and daughters such lies as they enter and try to make sense of this life. The truth is that men are NOT the stronger ones. We’re just not. There’s no doubt in my mind that we clearly are the weaker sex.
My hope is to one day gain enough strength in my CORE to be considered my brides equal. For now, I’ve got some building to do. For starters, I’ve got to stop whining so much. The minute my work appears headed the wrong direction, or I’m not recognized as the titan of my industry, or God help us all, sense that my identity is being called into question by some idiot, Miss has to hear all about it ad infinitum. Damn straight, come on man I’m in some real pain here.
However, when her life’s work leaves without so much as saying goodbye and thanks for giving your life for me, I can hardly bear hearing. Mom’s like Miss give until there’s nothing left, and then they’re mostly left behind and forgotten as their son’s and daughters go off to who knows what and take up residence who knows where. Moms like Miss, give everything to those that they love and then get the satisfaction of knowing that their good work, when they’ve really done it up right, is going, going, and soon GONE. Somehow Mom’s are wired to protect their young at all cost, through whatever problem, whatever prejudice, and whatever else might come their way. AND, somehow these same Mom’s are wired to LOVE them as these same young ones go their own way. Talk about some real strength. Talk about some real pain. Talk about your identity taking a real hit.
Like, I said earlier, I don’t know much about women but I do know real strength when I see it. Thanks Greek/Comanche for putting up with my weakness. At least I can do a couple pull ups now 🙂
AND, all you Mothers out there, thanks for modeling the way forward for your men, your children, and anyone in your world that is giving you the gift of their attention. Thanks Mom’s, and…
God, help me.
BUILT TO LEAD 