I feel a wonderful rush up my bloodstream. Call it excitement. There are many transitions happening at this time of the year and at this time of my life. In the Northern Hemisphere, the change from winter to spring is anticipated. The fresh, renewed soul of this season brings a revitalized energy after the long hibernating spirit of winter. After a long resting period, nature transforms and unfolds into buds, greens, meristems...
In the Philippines, where the seasons are only the wet and the dry, this time of the year ushers in the summer months - the dry season. The scent of yellow Narra tree blossoms waft through the air, a gentle sign that summer is here. And so is graduation, end-of-the-school year, entrance exams, thesis defenses, mangoes, watermelons, turnips, Acacia tree blossoms, Bougainvilleas’ colorful display, and the most revered "halo-halo" (an ingenoius concoction of crushed ice, sweetened beans, chickpeas, nata de coco, sago, sweetened saba banana, ube jam, milk, sugar, and topped with ube ice-cream!) Yes, I am writing in the month of March. And I feel that a most important event during this month is the celebration of women.
Remembering is so much a part of our lives. We remember each other's birthday. We bring to memory religious festivities and rituals that are so much a part of who we are as family and as a people. We celebrate feasts and honor our saints and holy people. We recall who they were and what they have contributed to our well-being. Remembering philosophers, scientists, artists, doctors, teachers and professionals and their contributions are much a part of our academic pursuits. The Israelites have faithfully reminded one another about "remembering". For it is in remembering the saving power of God that they have preserved their faith. Indeed, in remembering, we hold in our hearts , an eternal joy, the fruit of our life-giving experiences.
( from http://www.olssonkart.dinstudio.se/gallery_1.html)
And so, we celebrate the presence of half of the population of the world. We celebrate the presence of those who, together with men, have given their lives to preserve generations. It began in the U.S., when in the late 1800s, factory women bravely marched the streets to protest low wages and inhuman treatment. Bravery, courage, strength. Today that same bravery, courage, and strength is their legacy to us, their children, women and men as we are. And because gratitude is a memory of the heart, together we remember. Let me share with you, a piece of poetry I wrote for Women’s Month years ago…
A REMEMBERING…
The women who have gone before us, our mother ancestors, who have nourished us through time…
The women who have suffered pain, persecution and death so that we may be able to speak out and make decisions for ourselves…
The women who have carved the path to help us journey on and reach our dreams…
The women who have washed our clothes...
The women who have cooked our meals...
The women who have cleaned our houses...
The women who have designed and woven beautiful fabrics...
The women who have sewn our clothes...
The women who have healed us with their hands, herbs and oils...
The women who were our teachers… those who spent their whole lives forming us into what we have become…
The women in factories…committed to produce the best commodities to nourish us…
The women who have built bridges to mend the gaps in our lives…
The women who took risks in the past, so that women in crisis today may be sheltered and cared for…
The women who spent sleepless nights writing, journaling, thinking so that today, we read their stories of inspiration, encouragement and love…
The women who have invented the little things in life making our lives today much easier…
The women who have nurtured orphaned children, so that each may feel the love of a mother…
The women who have breastfed their children; mothers who have given their bodies to nourish future leaders, artisans, scientists, poets…
The women who sang to their children – mothers whose song and music nourished her child’s soul…
The women who read to their children – mothers whose voices and words nourished her child’s mind…
The women who have fallen and struggled to rise from the pit of desolation…
The women who have strayed away and drifted from the rest of us, because we have condemned them, called them names, labeled them...
The women who have journeyed with us through life – friends, companions who accompany us and who have committed to be with us for always…
We remember them…for they are our SISTERS walking as pilgrims on the same path, heading towards healing...and fulfilling our DREAMS…We remember...and we will never forget...those whose bodies have nourished our souls…may they always be. e
I happily invite you today, to craft something special for that woman in your life; mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, aunt, grand-aunt, friend. Bring her to your heart and whisper the song of your spirit…that deep call within you that weaves through the stories of your lives together. Remember… her presence brings life, healing, and love that nurtures the garden within....
go gently...
(thanks to friends who shared their photos...)
