Reflection on the World in the Meadow

phlox, moss, grasses in the meadow on the hillside — Photo by Scott Hunter

Daily Note

Every day, a photograph, a poem.

When out and about with Guthrie by myself, I find my mind wandering to how I feel about the world. I feel less free, that much is for sure.

My mom didn’t drive. One reason is because we didn’t have a car for years. My dad was able to use one of the “company” cars where he worked. She also took in ironing from a friend, and for years babysat for a friend. Back in the 1950s, few women my mom knew worked, except for her best friend. Why did she work? Her husband was alcoholic and probably didn’t keep a job.

The 1960s arrived and I could dream of being anything, but living in a household still stuck in the 50s, I considered three things: secretary, nurse, or teacher.

And do you know why I became a teacher? Divorce. I decided then and there that I would take care of myself. That’s the thing, that’s the freedom. But you can’t take care of yourself if you’re restricted from your dreams– of being whatever suits you. You can’t take care of yourself if your world is stuck in the cultural restrictions of a time that should be long past. You can’t take care of yourself if you can’t, as a woman, decide not to have children or decide WHEN to have children. And that seems to be where part of this country is heading– back to restrictions on what a woman can and cannot do.

And why does my mind wander here? I have granddaughters and great-granddaughters and I want them to have the freedom to choose. The freedom to choose every aspect of their lives without cultural or familial restrictions or expectations preventing them from working towards the vision they have for themselves. Sure, life throws things at us, but those we can overcome, IF we have the freedom to take whatever avenue allows us to overcome obstacles and move forward to who we want to be, whoever and whatever my progeny wants to be or do.

I’m hoping for a resurgence of women’s rights with open-minded men supporting the cause, believing we all benefit from freedom for all. I just hold my heart worrying that one of my grand- or great-grand daughters suffers under what could be a very bad new America.

In our weariness in the storm of right-wing propaganda and misinformation, we must still bloom with ideas and actions to promote and win our basic human rights– for everyone. Vote as if your life depended on it, because it just might.

Resource: National Organization of Women: Core Issues

Poetry

Reflecting on the World
in the Meadow

I remember
when being free
was like breathing.

I fear for my
granddaughters
struggling to breathe.

I pray to Creator
the world will return
to open and fresh air.
Sheri Edwards
04.26.24 117.365.24
Poetry/Photography