In honor of Mother’s Day, I would like to spotlight resilient women. I think that tenacity in motherhood is an often overlooked feature. However, if we did not have the ability to bounce back after being thrown for a loop (or two or three or four at the same time…) I’m not sure how we would persevere. Thank goodness for that quality of stick-to-it-ive-ness (and I’m not talking about cleaning marshmallows off of your hands and your toddler’s face and all the furniture…) ;^- In light of that, I present the following story:
When I managed “The Secret Garden Tearoom” we had a great following of patrons. They loved to sit and chat with us and often lingered. My favorite time of day was 2 o’clock when lunch ended and the tearoom closed. The staff could eat, visit with our friends and rest for a few minutes before scrubbing the tearoom for the next day.
Our chat often centered on tough, resilient women; maybe because several of us were experiencing massive life changes. We needed to know that we could not only survive, but thrive.
The owner of the shop had a long-time friend. This elderly woman was a never-ending source of uproarious laughter.
Recently, her family apparently had a reason to become concerned about her driving. They must have thought she was too old and posed a danger to herself, and perhaps, others. Against her protests, they captured her car keys and took them away.
Within a day, they came back to check on their spunky octogenarian mother.
Parked in the driveway was the shiny, new car that she had gone and bought that very day, paying cash on the spot.
I’m determined to pattern my life after feisty women like her. Sometimes, pure grit and determination is all we have to hold on to! Do you know any spunky, ornery souls like her? Are you one, yourself? Do tell. ;^)
(A BIG THANK YOU to Dan Felstead, my blog friend of Wood and Pixels. For a larger view of this ’57 Oldsmobile and more of Dan’s photography, go check it out! His work is amazing and you will be inspired.) ;^)
Miss Cynthia L. H.
Cynthia….seeing the Oldsmobile is like seeing an old friend! I so enjoyed that week of posts with the old cars. I see from your comment yesterday that you are going into finals. I took my last one for the semester yesterday. Whew! I am glad that is over at least for the Summer. I am going to take one more semester of refresher courses then take the BIG test! I hope you have a great great Summer and you get a nice break. Thanks for revisiting the blog even though I have not updated since Christmas….but I will soon.
Dan
Dan, It sure is good to hear from you! I’m glad that you have made it through finals! WooHoo for the Baby Boomers hittin’ the books! ;^) I’m sure you deserve a wonderful summer break. ;^)
I really enjoyed the photo series of the old cars, but you know strolling through your blog was like taking a walk down memory lane. Those photos just speak to me! ;^)
Thanks again, Dan! You’d better be out on a lounge chair sipping on some iced-tea and doing NOTHING while you’re reading this!!! ;^)
Loved this! Love the spunkiness of that woman!
And so glad to hear that you’re in touch with Dan! You guys are such a role model for the rest of us!!!
Shabby Girl,
Thank you! Fun story, isn’t it? One of my favorites. ;^) Thank you for your encouragement…it sure does help to have wonderful people like you, who continue to believe in me! ;^) Dan is just amazing, too. I love visiting his blog…I miss it, too.
Also, just wanted to say that there are definitely days that I would REALLY like to be doing what you are doing!!! ;^)
Cindy,
This is a wonderful story. I do know several spunky women like the lady in your story and I consider each one a treasured mentor. What a great book — compiling the stories of these spunky women.
Cheri, thank you! ;^) That’s one of my goals…to compile a book with these stories. ;^) I’m writing another post in this category today. ;^) Stay tuned! Thank you for stopping by!