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There is so much expected of women today. They are to have careers, husbands, children, homes, pets, hobbies, and all that goes with these responsibilities. It is not enough to work, take care of those around you, take care of the home (shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, all the responsibilities of that home, etc.), there is also the work we do in the community. My hat goes off to the 24/7 American woman!
Our work does not stop when the sun goes down. Our work does not stop when the kids leave the home. We still have relationships with our children and grandchildren and that takes work, as fulfilling as it is, it is still work. We want to spend time with them in between everything else that fills our day.
On top of it, if we have a husband who is considerate and helps with some of these responsibilities, they are considered over worked and we are thought of as lazy and disrespectful to our husbands. Yes, I know we should just ignore these people and their whacked out ideas, but as women we were made to nurture and if that is being questioned, we rethink how much more we should be doing. To tell you the truth, I have met very few truly lazy women, but I have met my share of men who think their wives should be the “50’s” women and cater to their every need. Women of the 50’s, bless their souls, weren’t given the chance to voice their wishes. It reminds me of the movie “Pleasantville”. They weren’t really “happy” until they had some color in their lives. Just look to the 60’s to see how the 50’s women rebelled.
Now about me, because that is what this blog is all about, isn’t it! Just because I only work part time out of the home and consider my art (quilting) as something that needs to be developed with time spent in the studio, I am expected to put more time than is in a 24 hour day into my husband, children, grandchildren, home, and community. If I was a man in this field, it would be different. Quilting would be my career and I would be expected to concentrate on that career. How can I make a career out of my gift of quilting if I do not have the time to develop as an artist?
So, thank you for listening to the rantings of a frustrated quilt artist who just wants to spend time developing into the women God wants her to be. And when you see one of your fellow women today, salute her for all the hard work she does just to keep her head above water!
Pulled this blog up from quiltersblog and had no idea it was yours until I opened it. I'm sorry you are feeling pulled in all ways. I think from what I hear, you do so much for your daughters and their kids that you deserve to set time aside for yourself and your art. Maybe you should set aside a specific amount of time per day, like you were going to the office, and tell your kids not to call you during those times. You are truly a talented artist. I always love every piece you create - from traditional to your art pieces- you have the heart of an artist. (BTW - did you notice that the word heart is in your blog name? Think that's pretty cool.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I give you permission to create.