...on strong women, and inspiration.

I am sitting...well, lounging really...with my second cuppa, thinking about people who have inspired me; more accurately, about women who have inspired me.

My two grandmothers, who came from almost opposite backgrounds and situations. One, a refugee who trekked with her husband's family and infant son, my dad, across the great expanse of Russia, Siberia, and into China, and finishing up in rural Central Alberta, never to see her own people again. She was a woman of great strength, humour and love. The other, an immigrant farm wife from England with a strong sense of propriety, practicality and honour, whose husband and daughter (my mom) must have driven her to distraction with their idealism and dreams. I think of my mom, who admitted she was never really suited to farm life and raising family, although she loved her space, and her animals. In her too-seldom, too-short rest intervals, she was invariably buried in a book, soaking up ideas and information with enthusiasm.

I think of colleagues.  Women with so many, varied talents and skills who humble me with their excellent work. Names? Some of you are my facebook friends. Roxanne. I have never seen a teacher so in tune with each individual student in her class.  Your passionate caring for those munchkins, in spite of whatever else is going on in your day, is an inspiration. Rolanda. You light the planet with your joy and creativity and energy. You bring kids up to standards they never even thought to attempt. And your laugh. Oh my dear, your laugh. Sharon. Your talent from both sides of your brain. Your steady consistency. If only I had a little of that. And your humour and wisdom to accept that red and green could work for certain seasons.

I think of friends. Mae, who is my sister in every real sense of the word.  Loyal, supportive, smart and strong. How I have leaned on you over the years!  Maureen, who has emerged from every situation with her gorgeous smile and huge heart more or less intact, despite the cracks and dents it has picked up along the way. I learned a valuable lesson from Maureen: don't teach people to curl.  They will turn around and beat you every time!

I think of facebook friends, particularly Kathleen, who has taught me to think and maybe do some research before I spout my opinions, but once spouted, to stand by them. And who has walked the roughest road possible this past month, and graced us with her sharing.

Strong, inspirational women with intelligence and humour. Thank you all.