My mom taught me many valuable concepts and practices growing up.
She exemplified a woman of strength. She demonstrated day after day that women need not be bound to the roles identified as traditional. Women do not need to be seen as weak, nor do they need to have the men in their lives perform the physically challenging tasks. She built fences, dug post holes, built structures, hauled trailers, drove tractors, and the list goes on. She was diagnostic and analytical, and yet had the same keen gut instinct women tend to possess.
Anyone that knows my mom, knows that when she had her mind set on something, there wasn't a thing in the world that would stop her... and she wanted it now. I'll be the first to admit, that it didn't always pan out the way that she wanted it to, but she rarely regretted trying. Unfortunately - or fortunately - this is a trait she has engrained in me.
I used to think it was a weakness. There were times this idea or vision I had would block out anything that tried to stop me or tell me otherwise. Over the years I've learned to stop and think and listen... just long enough to decide that 90% of the time it is still a great idea and one worth pursuing. The other 10%, I'm willing to admit I was wrong and abandon the thought in its tracks. Procrastination is not a trait I possess, and idle time is something that doesn't often happen for me.
Over my lifetime, I have done so many of the "man's" tasks - for two reasons: the above mentioned determination, and the fact that I learned I can do most things any man can do. I have done automotive work, electrical work, plumbing, drywalling, painting, laid floors, etc.
At the moment, we are mid renovation of our house in preparation for its sale. Painting, floors, drywall, trim, baseboards - it's been a lot of work in a short amount of time. Shortly after we started renovations, Reno hurt his back and has been unable to help me. I was giving him a hard time one night, and harassing him to cut me a piece of drywall. This was something I had deemed to be "his job" because it seems more of a man-type activity. "You can do it yourself," he said nonchalantly. His response initially enraged me, and then opened my eyes and a lightbulb moment happened. He was right - I could do this myself.
And so I did. Over and over again, I have performed jobs rather than depending on anyone. I've nearly completed the basement entirely by myself. It's constant and persistent, but I'm tackling these projects and crossing them off my list at a rate that meets and exceeds my uber annoying need to progress and finish projects at lightning speed. Every evening and weekend is filled with mudding, taping, sanding and painting... I am loving it.
I thank the Lord every day I was blessed with such a strong and confident mother. I wait for no man.
