Women's History Month

When I think of Women's history, I think of the women who came generations before me.   My personal family heritage, which makes me sad, as so much is unknown due to my mom passing away in 2002 when I was only 18 years old.... So many conversations that never got to be had and so many life lessons that we never got to work through, together..... It's lonely and sad...... And it leaves me missing it all even more after having my own daughters.

My mom's mother came to Ellis Island straight from Ireland! Her maiden name was Agnes Harkins and when she came to the United States, she lived in a church orphanage (where she met my Pop-Pop).  She was a caretaker of many, 6 of her own children, her husband and her two brothers (upon their return home from World War II). There was so much heartache and loss in this family that I'll save for another day. But growing up I remember my mom telling me that her parents did the best they knew how, and that she learned so much from my grandma (my dad's mom).

My dad's mom grew up in central Pennsylvania on a little farm with her mother, Elizabeth Kingsley.  She sounded as though she was a super strong an independent woman who loved to garden, cook and be a homemaker. My grandma followed-suit as one of the kindest, most patient and proper women I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She is all kinds of classy and is a source of some of my best childhood memories.

I named my daughter, Reese, after my mom. Her name was Theresa. My grandad (my dad's father) would every now and then call her 'Reesey' when sharing a special moment or inside joke. Reese wasn't a common nick name for Theresa, but in my family it was a thing.  So when my husband and I were expecting our first baby girl and thinking of names and he suggested Reese, I immediately loved it because it reminded me of my mom and grandad. Officially, on the birth certificate, 'Reese' is Theresa. But we call her reeseypiece, sweetpie, resseypeanutbuttercup, and a million other sweet nicknames :P

Anyway, many of my fondest memories growing up were of times spent in the kitchen with family. Cooking, baking, sharing our highs and lows of the day and just spending quality time connecting. So when I'm feeling overwhelmed or want to spend time with my kids, I find myself in the kitchen. This picture is of a day back in 2018 during the week of Thanksgiving.  I was getting ready to make pies with my girls (something I always did with my mom) and using her 'Fanny Farmer' cookbook for the homemade pie dough recipe that is always a family favorite. I remember just crying and crying, feeling sad and lonely missing my mom so much - but at the same time feeling overwhelmingly grateful for my beautiful daughters.

This month also leaves a lot of time for reflection, considering all of those who paved the way for us to be able to experience life in the way that we do to this day.  Trail blazers and difference makers. Here are some quotes from a few of my favorites.

Dolly Parton

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”

Reese Witherspoon

“I encourage women to step up. Don’t wait for somebody to ask you.”

Malala Yousafzai

“I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”

Audrey Hepburn

“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.”

Simone Biles

“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.”

Coco Chanel

“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”

So the question I leave you with, is are you who you want to be, doing what you want to do? As I prepare to celebrate 40 years on this earth in a few months, this question is more poignant now than ever before.