I'm a bit nervous about sharing these thoughts...I'm super worried about offending people and this is broaching possibly tender territory...but broach I will. ;)
Homemaker.
I took the kids to the elementary school today to have Luke do his Kindergarten testing. While he met with the teacher I filled out paperwork and the big kids gave Lizzy a tour of the school. I filled out shot records and address and emergency contact forms. I filled out phone numbers and special needs Luke might have--you know the drill. I got to a portion of the form that had me fill out Mike's work information and mine.
Name: Mindy Williams.
Occupation: Homemaker.
I little lump got caught in my throat. Homemaker. HOMEmaker. What a job! What a HUGE job!
I was chatting with my sister-in-law last weekend. Her babies are growing up and will all be in school this year. She's been researching things she can do to fill her time and midst the research it looks like her husband may be having some career changes. One of the possible changes would mean a lot of hours worked and many hours from home, which means a lot of long hours for mom at home. She talked about how it would be important to make herself available to make a good dinner and keep on top of the house and help the kids with stability...'at the risk of putting feminism behind 50 years, I just will need to be home more, you know?'
I'm confused about feminism. I'm confused when things changed from Mothers being honored and loved and cared for--to people looking down on those who stay home. When it seems like 'Homemaking' is nothing more than TV watching and taking long afternoon naps. I know I'm opening a can of worms here--plenty of women have been demeaned and hurt and held back. Many have been abused and looked down on and treated as 2nd rate. But not all. Certainly not me. I don't feel less than, or lower than, or not important: not at home, not at church, not in my marriage. I feel blessed that this is the case.
I feel blessed to be a HOMEmaker. I can't think of a better job. I could do ANYTHING. I'm a smart cookie with good ideas and great skills and am eager to learn (as long as it's not math!). I could do all those things the world tells me I should do as a woman...but I CHOOSE to be at home. To put all those skills to use here. To teach and learn and use those skills at HOME. And I know it is a blessing not afforded to everyone. I know the feeling of contentment and fulfillment is not something that everyone has. I don't think I'm a minority, but sometimes I wonder that maybe I am. Regardless, and in hopes I don't hurt or offend anyone...HOMEmaker. The greatest calling and blessing there is. I'm not curing cancer or running a board room or breaking any glass ceilings. I'm building a home. One dish, one dinner, one bum wiped, one sleepless night, one kissed forehead, one nutella lunch, one snuggle, one welcome-home-honey-kiss, one storybook, one prayer at a time.
"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost." -Arthur Ashe
