And while we’re on the subject of women and society, I have another pet peeve—the words “Working Woman.” As far as I am concerned, I have never seen a woman who does not “work.” All women are working-women. Unfortunately, only some of us get paid and recognized for the work we do and unfortunately, the work that gets paid for and recognized generally happens outside the home.
My mother never earned a penny, but oh, she worked!
We were an extended or “joint” business family of 14 members with one or more houseguests almost all days of the year and my mother managed that household and its resources so wonderfully.
Individual tastes and special dietary needs were effortlessly catered to. A virtual army of drivers, vendors, part-timers and full timers were administered without a falter.
Absentees, gaps in service, broken vehicles were all dealt with without effect on the routines of the other members of the family.
Clothes were miraculously collected, washed, dried, folded, ironed and returned to the respective rooms and wardrobes without a hitch.
Sickness, cuts and broken bones were taken into her stride without a drop in her smile.
Homework was checked, diaries signed, schoolbooks covered, projects aided: no problems at all.
Ripped jeans and missing buttons were mended in a jiffy and without a frown.
Fights were arbitrated to everybody’s satisfaction; tantrums and transgressions were punished; hurts and upsets were gently soothed…
And after all this she had time, energy and money left over for charity—now that’s what I call optimum usage of her resources!
My mother ran several service industries rolled into one. She practiced several professions simultaneously and excelled in each one.
She was Receptionist, Housekeeper, Master Chef, Accountant, Manager, Tailor, Nurse and Doctor, Lawyer and Judge, Teacher and Mentor and Counselor….
Oh, yes, she worked! And she didn’t have the celebrations of Mother’s Day and the SMS messages of Women’s Day to felicitate her contribution to our world. We didn’t think she was someone special to put on a pedestal for a few “Reminder Days” of the year.
Most of all, she didn’t feel she needed special treatment because she was a woman.
We were an extended or “joint” business family of 14 members with one or more houseguests almost all days of the year and my mother managed that household and its resources so wonderfully.
Individual tastes and special dietary needs were effortlessly catered to. A virtual army of drivers, vendors, part-timers and full timers were administered without a falter.
Absentees, gaps in service, broken vehicles were all dealt with without effect on the routines of the other members of the family.
Clothes were miraculously collected, washed, dried, folded, ironed and returned to the respective rooms and wardrobes without a hitch.
Sickness, cuts and broken bones were taken into her stride without a drop in her smile.
Homework was checked, diaries signed, schoolbooks covered, projects aided: no problems at all.
Ripped jeans and missing buttons were mended in a jiffy and without a frown.
Fights were arbitrated to everybody’s satisfaction; tantrums and transgressions were punished; hurts and upsets were gently soothed…
And after all this she had time, energy and money left over for charity—now that’s what I call optimum usage of her resources!
My mother ran several service industries rolled into one. She practiced several professions simultaneously and excelled in each one.
She was Receptionist, Housekeeper, Master Chef, Accountant, Manager, Tailor, Nurse and Doctor, Lawyer and Judge, Teacher and Mentor and Counselor….
Oh, yes, she worked! And she didn’t have the celebrations of Mother’s Day and the SMS messages of Women’s Day to felicitate her contribution to our world. We didn’t think she was someone special to put on a pedestal for a few “Reminder Days” of the year.
Most of all, she didn’t feel she needed special treatment because she was a woman.
4 comments:
loved that....almost shed a tear, but then realised mom would hate that!!anju.
how true rani ma
how true rani ma
We all work. you and I , and our mothers and so will our daughters. Let us hope men learn to keep up one day;).
Jokes aside, well written and well timed.
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