Photo by: pingnews.com

In all my working life, I have been fortunate to have worked with some of the most beautiful and spirited women — women who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, have CI’s, or who are hearing. While our jobs may have changed over time, our close connections haven’t. We remain in touch over the years, and with the blessings of internet technology, we always seem to be able to pick up right where we left off. Where we once met for lunch or a women’s night out, we now meet in cyberspace to share a laugh, a story, a bit of encouragement, or a tear.

The women at DeafRead — the vloggers, bloggers and commentators are like the deaf sorority I never had. My co-workers, deaf and hearing alike, are like my sisters. Even some of the female interpreters I have had over time have become close and remain in contact still. It’s true: Women are the mainstays in my life. Though time and distance may separate, our women friends and relatives are never more far away than we can reach.

In my present job, I am blessed to work with 6 beautiful and diverse women. I see these women daily and they have become my rock and stay. When we enter our workplace, we greet one another with stories of the night before, stories of the weekend, or stories about our families, our hopes, our fears or our dreams. We know about each other’s husbands, boyfriends and children. We listen to each other’s aches, pains and ailments. We support each other through loss and grief, and cheer each other on through our own successes or our children’s achievements.

Ironically, policies written by male patriarchy dictate that we do not share our personal lives with our colleagues at work. But we women know better. It’s that personal sharing that makes our work life bearable, joyful and deeply meaningful. On certain days, it’s these women who call or page us to get our butts out of bed in the morning and get our foot in the door!

Photo by: Wiseacre Photo

This post is not meant to dis men. While I deeply love my husband and son, and I respect and enjoy my male relatives and friends, I simply know deep in my heart that my life would be a much lonelier place without women. I am grateful to have developed and maintained a special kinship with some of the women at DeafRead over the last year, and throughout my education, career, and daily life.

This short story below was sent to me by one of my co-workers via e-mail. It’s a story about how the women in our lives are truly a blessing. I thought it would be appropriate to share in gratitude for all the women out there who continue to touch my life. Bless you!

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As
they talked about life, about marriage, about the
responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood,
the mother clinked the ice cubes in her
glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance
upon her daughter.

“Don’t forget your Sisters,” she advised,
swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
“They’ll be more important as you get older.
No matter how much you love your husband,
no matter how much you love the children you may have,
you are still going to need Sisters.
Remember to go places with them now and then;
do things with them.”

“Remember that ‘Sisters’ means ALL the women…
your girlfriends, your daughters,
and all your other women relatives too.
“You’ll need other women.
Women always do.”

What a funny piece of advice!’ the young woman thought.
Haven’t I just gotten married?
Haven’t I just joined the couple-world?
I’m now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup!
Surely my husband and the family we may start
will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!’

But she listened to her Mother.
She kept contact with her Sisters
and made more women friends each year.
As the years tumbled by, one after another,
she gradually came to understand
that her Mom really knew what she was talking about.
As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,
Sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 60 years of living in this world,
here is what I’ve learned:

• Time passes.
• Life happens.
• Distance separates.
• Children grow up.
• Jobs come and go.
• Love waxes and wanes.
• Men don’t always do what they’re supposed to do.
• Hearts break.
• Parents die.
• Colleagues forget favors.
• Careers end.

BUT………

Sisters are there,
no matter how much time
and how many miles are between you.

A girl friend is never farther away
than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley
and you have to walk it by yourself,
the women in your life
will be on the valley’s rim,
cheering you on,
praying for you,
pulling for you,
intervening on your behalf,
and waiting with open arms
at the valley’s end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules
and walk beside you…
Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law,
Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces,
cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn’t be the same without women,
and neither would I.

When we began this adventure called womanhood,
we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead.
Nor did we know how much we would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still.

Posted by LaRonda on Sunday, August 26th, 2007 at 9:16 am.