"Fight like a girl"
My friend bookczuk is at the hospital right now for one of her mom's breast cancer surgeries. For her blog entry this morning, she used the identifying tag "fight like a girl", which made me smile. The more I thought about it, though, the more profound it became.
Historically, "you fight like a girl" meant you didn't know how to throw a punch, or you slap, or you were simply too weak -- emotionally or physically or otherwise -- to fight properly. It's the worst sort of insult to give to a boy, I suppose. But if you think about it -- really think about it, it should be the best kind of compliment you can give!
Who better to protect baby bear cubs?
a mama
Who usually stands up for the kid who gets picked on at school?
a shy girl
Who holds most families together?
the mama
And what kind of relationships are honored in the movie Steel Magnolias?
Female relationships. Strong, powerful, "steely" women.
Sidebar: if you haven't seen this movie, you should. Period.
On Sunday, I'm doing the Susan G. Komen Foundation Walk for the Cure. As I said in the subject line of my "please support me" letter, I'm walking for my grandmother, my moms, 4 sisters, 5 nieces, and a ton of girlfriends. When I walk, I'll be carrying a list of special people for whom I'm walking. One of the people on the list will be bookczuk's mom. Another name will be reggiesgirl2's sister. Another name will be my grandmother, who has had not one, but two radical mastectomies! She'll be 95 in November, and is still going strong. I've also written my friend sweet_indiana on my list. If you would like me to add the name of a friend or loved one (or you!) to my list to carry with me, I'd love to. You can post it in the comments here, or send me an email with the name (my screen name at gmail).
The next time you hear "you fight like a girl!", grin with me. And think of all the strong women you know. Maybe give one of them a call and tell 'em you love them.
Link to my Komen race page
Historically, "you fight like a girl" meant you didn't know how to throw a punch, or you slap, or you were simply too weak -- emotionally or physically or otherwise -- to fight properly. It's the worst sort of insult to give to a boy, I suppose. But if you think about it -- really think about it, it should be the best kind of compliment you can give!
Who better to protect baby bear cubs?
a mama
Who usually stands up for the kid who gets picked on at school?
a shy girl
Who holds most families together?
the mama
And what kind of relationships are honored in the movie Steel Magnolias?
Female relationships. Strong, powerful, "steely" women.
Sidebar: if you haven't seen this movie, you should. Period.
On Sunday, I'm doing the Susan G. Komen Foundation Walk for the Cure. As I said in the subject line of my "please support me" letter, I'm walking for my grandmother, my moms, 4 sisters, 5 nieces, and a ton of girlfriends. When I walk, I'll be carrying a list of special people for whom I'm walking. One of the people on the list will be bookczuk's mom. Another name will be reggiesgirl2's sister. Another name will be my grandmother, who has had not one, but two radical mastectomies! She'll be 95 in November, and is still going strong. I've also written my friend sweet_indiana on my list. If you would like me to add the name of a friend or loved one (or you!) to my list to carry with me, I'd love to. You can post it in the comments here, or send me an email with the name (my screen name at gmail).
The next time you hear "you fight like a girl!", grin with me. And think of all the strong women you know. Maybe give one of them a call and tell 'em you love them.
Link to my Komen race page