My journey through running began as a little girl. At a young age I already knew I loved running. With a competitive family, we had fun races chasing each other and trying to beat our parents.
I remember one particular moment “racing” where my mom and dad had gone on a walk with us and were going to race about 1/2 mile from home. They had a little bet as to who would win and what the other would get if they won. I remember it clear as day, as I wanted my mom to win. This sense of girls being able to beat guys and how much stronger we would seem if we did, even if guys didn’t think it was possible, at a young age was already instilled in me.
My parents took off and we followed behind. My dad ended up cheating cutting through the neighbors lawn and our backyard, making his run short of 1/2 a mile and ultimately beating my mom. My mom wasn’t happy and said “you cheated.” They argued about it and how the bet was off because he cheated, even though he insisted he didn’t. I remember being livid. It wasn’t fair. He shouldn’t be bragging about winning when he cheated, but of course my brother was on his side (he followed suit, cheating with dad).
He said he was faster than mom, but I knew that one race couldn’t determine that, because he cheated and I wasn’t going to have it. The fire inside me for justice began, and maybe this was the moment in life I unconsciously decided that women could ran as fast and sometimes faster and as far as men. That women could do more than maybe one thought.
I saw my mom as strong and just as strong as my dad, but in her own way. Sure maybe my dad’s physical strength was greater, especially from years of hard ranch labor. But my mom was physically strong from her own years working through high school and helping her family. She was also stronger spiritually and emotionally. And maybe if my dad wouldn’t have cheated, she would have won that race and proved her strength.
This one little race, whether my parents knew it or not, started my passion for justice. For wanting justice for all. For hating when individuals cheated and got away with it, and therefore could have bragging rights, higher positions in society and more money. I knew the truth, but who was going to take my word over my dads.
It was a friendly competition, but for me it was more. I didn’t know it then, but I wanted to prove that women were strong too. We shouldn’t be viewed as inferior or superior. Our strength is different then men’s, but doesn’t make us weaker. I began to want to prove that I could be stronger than men, but I have finally realized that by doing so, I am being like some men myself. Viewing myself as superior. Saying I am better, stronger.
For me feminism is more feminist when we acknowledge we are completely different from one another. Man and woman are different and created different, just as woman and woman are created different. Each individual beings, with unique talents, goals, passions and abilities. I missed this point, as I wanted to jump on the “women’s rights” movement. Wanting to prove I was better, when instead I should have been wanting to prove that physical strength is just as important as emotional strength or that women were just as important as men.
I should have been out to prove that women are capable of what men are, but not better. Wasn’t the original intention of feminism to show that women weren’t inferior but not superior to men? Didn’t it start to allow for equal rights? I believe feminism to mean that women are important. Their roles, whether in the home or in the workplace are not inferior to any man’s role, not any less significant.
Choosing to be home with my child doesn’t make me less of a woman. It was a choice I made, because I love it. I would argue it is also much harder than I thought. For years I told myself I wasn’t going to be one of those women who sat at home all day doing nothing, rather I had to prove I was better than man and by doing so it meant holding a highly reputable position, such as a lawyer, CEO, doctor, etc.
I have found that my role as “homemaker” is significant, and I believe one of the most important jobs in the world. I am raising the next generation. I am the keeper of a human life, guarding their hearts and preparing them for the hurt, brokenness and criticism of our society.
I realize it now: that race nearly 20 years ago between my parents showed me the significance of women in society. My mom was my role model. She worked at home at times and others did both, and I remember thinking that no matter if she had a job outside of the home or when she was working in the home, I admired her strength. I valued her position. She wasn’t inferior to my dad.
Being a stay at home mom, is humbling work, and goes unappreciated. It’s not admirable and hardly seems significant to most (I would know I vowed to avoid ever being one), but it’s feminist to it’s core. I have found my place in this season of life, and I don’t feel any less inferior being a mom.
Besides I have beat enough men in races to know that women are capable of more than some may think. 😉 They have a womanly strength not to be reckoned with.
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit