What a crazy week. First the big storm, then the 4th of July smack dab in the middle of the week, then my poor mom fell down the stairs and shattered her ankle. What IS it with our family and stairs?! And when did life go from crazy-busy with the usual kid/work/life stuff to just plain CRAZY, with 90mph winds and freak injuries? Not OK!!
In case you haven’t seen it on the news, here are some photos of the aftermath of the derecho or whatever the heck they’re calling the storm that hit our area last Friday. Remember the hurricane? And the earthquake? This was WAY worse. We just got our internet and phone back yesterday, and there are STILL people without power. And it’s supposed to be 103 degrees on Saturday! It’s a sign of the apocalypse, I’m telling you.
This is the shade pavilion at our pool. Needless to say, the pool was closed for a few days. (Thanks, CR, for the pic.)
During one of the long, LONG days when everything was shut down and it was too hot to do anything, I evaded my husband and kids and snuck down to the basement to watch a movie, any movie. I ended up watching “Country Strong.” It is not a great film. Sorry, Gwyneth. She can carry a tune and all, but her character pissed me off.
She plays an alcoholic country star struggling to make a comeback. Throughout most of the movie she’s a pathetic drunken mess. At one point her husband, played by Tim McGraw, says something like, “She used to be tough as nails. I don’t know when she got so fragile.” This point is underscored with a heavy-handed metaphor involving a rescued baby bird.
The part that pissed me off is that most women I know – specifically moms – are unbelievably strong. And resilient. And resourceful. They suck it up and get on with it. Alcoholism aside, it made me mad to see a woman portrayed as so weak and helpless.
Most moms I know actually go to the opposite extreme. Like the one who was suffering from heat stroke so bad she passed out but felt guilty that her husband had to take care of her and the kids. Or my own mother, who claimed she was fine and didn’t need to go to the hospital even though her foot was pointing the wrong way and she was in excruciating pain. Because most women don’t want to inconvenience anybody. We don’t want anyone to have to take care of US.
We’ve got to find a happy medium, people. Somewhere between weak and strong, utterly dependent and entirely in charge of everything and everyone. Where we take care of our own needs AND those of others. Where we can offer help AND accept it. And it shouldn’t have to take a derecho or a broken ankle to get there.
Get well soon, Mom! You’re one tough mama.
PIC O’ THE DAY: To lighten the mood a little:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
So true. We women are stong, inside and out. The inside counts the most…
Those pics are insane. Glad you guys are ok. Good luck with the heat on Saturday, I’ll be right there with you. Its supposed to be 102 where I’m at.
I’m glad you’re holding up, Abby. You guys are in my thoughts. What crazy stuff to have to deal with. You need vacation (along with a nice, icy cold drink) in the cool Northwest. As for the movie…I didn’t watch that one. Singing Gwyneth isn’t my favorite. I think many of the women in my life have figured out how to be strong and fragile at the same time without being a stereotype of either role. Guess the movie producers of the world haven’t caught up yet.
Thanks, Malia. I DO need a vacation!