Does being a strong woman mean that you are a bitch? Maybe it is, but if being this strong woman means that I get to be part of a group of amazing grandmas, moms, sisters, aunts, cousins, and friends than I guess I will stay in this bitchy/strong woman group. This might seem all great and wonderful, however this group is very complex. This group can shock me; piss me off, amaze me; inspire me; make me laugh; make me stream in hate, and makes me who I am.
I always struggle with being a strong woman, because I use to think that it meant that you had to be really athletic, and always play with boys. I think even in middle school I didn’t want to even be a girl. I would always wear my Dad’s sports shirts, so that I could try to be at least “girlie” as possible. As I have become older and a wife and a teacher, and a mom. I want for my theme of being a strong woman to show in many ways. I like to be around strong woman, I like to do things like dance in the kitchen and go down scary water slides, to show the world that I can still be a girl; but not be afraid to be brave and strong, and scared, and nervous, and mean, and sappy, and loving, and strict, and myself. I know that when I wake up every morning I want to be a strong model for those eyes that are always watching me, sometime there are four eyes, and sometime there are more!
Our family had another grandma loss this week. Tony's grandma Toni, passed away, and I would definitely consider her a member of this strong woman club that I get to belong to. She was a spunky soul that surly learned a lot from raising 5 kids. There are too many stories to tell, but even though her English was not very good, she always tried her best to say a caring word or just be all together. She loved her family, and for that I will continue to be inspired by her. She will truly be missed, but I know that her soul carries on with the incredible family that I get to be part of.
My own grandmother was a strong woman. She is my inspiration. She was much less "judgy" then me. She tried to understand things before she made a decision. She was stubborn, but she knew what she wanted and that was that. She always loved to read and learn. She always told me never to say “hate” about anyone, no matter what. My Baba was just as strong, but more on the stubborn part. She would actually tell others what she thought of them, which surly got her in trouble. She was ambitious though, she survived a German work camp during WW2, but strived to make her life better in America. For that persistence, I will always be grateful for the sacrifices that she made for a better life. Both my grandmas were amazingly hard workers, that must be where I get that from.
This theme with strong woman continues in ALL of my Mamas! My own mom was feared, and probably still is, in our neighborhood growing up. She doesn't F around, but is still loving and caring and would do anything for us. I remember in elementary school being mortified cause she once stopped the car and broke up some kids fighting in the middle of the side walk. Funny thing is, that is ME! As an adult, I would have done the same thing! The kids at Corron Elementary school know when MRS. HERNANDEZ is coming! Tony's Mom persisted. She had 3 kids and would do anything for them! ANYTHING! She still does! She reminds me to be more compassionate to my own children, and sometimes I need that. She reminds me that no matter what, your children are always your babies and you will do whatever you can to be there for them. Judi, Tony's stepmom, shows me that you can have a balance, you can be a great mom, and still be a great worker, but keep your family, your home, your friends. This is important part of being a strong woman...otherwise you can't be! 
Friends are where I get to keep my balance. Sometimes our adventures are park play dates, sometimes "girls night out", sometimes it is mini-vacas! My friends inspire me to be a better wife, mom, employee, and friend. We bounce I think we would all agree that more time could be spent together, but we all do what we can. I am so lucky that all of these people that I get to call my friends (and even sister, or sister in laws). We are all on this journey to strong womanhood, as they are all there for me in many different ways and I hope that I am there for them too. 
Being a strong woman can get you in a ton of trouble sometimes, because you are not afraid to say and do what you think is right, even when you are wrong. All of these people inspire me, and as we get to reflect on our loss of a matriarch this weekend, I am grateful that I got to call her Grandma, and that her efforts will not go unnoticed in this family. I strive to be, and continue to show examples of strong woman for my daughters. We surly need someone to carry on this bitchiness!
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