I haven't blogged for a while, because I have become immersed in the novel "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. He wrote the "Kite Runner" which I liked, but this one was a page turner.....often depressing, but it kept you reading and the main message was hope. I feel that there were many more messages in the book which I won't go into, because for any potential readers I don't want to ruin it for you. The book is dedicated to the women of Afghanistan. It tells of the culture, the women's plight, no matter what the regime is at the time...it has never been good for women. When the Taliban came into power...All rights were taken away from women...no school, no arts, no health care, no law to protect them, nothing and yet I think the author wanted people to know that most of the women and some good men, tried to stay strong to make their land a better place for their daughters. As I read each chapter I was more and more grateful for this beautiful and great country we live in. Also I am more and more grateful for my religion. A religion that encourages women to get an education, to pursue their talents, to appreciate the arts, to teach their children and continue learning all through their life. It teaches the men to honor their wives and counsel with them over decisions on everything. The husband and wife are one working for a common goal. I took a Book of Mormon class years ago and as we all have struggled through 2 Nephi where Isaiah seems to be talking in a different language, the teacher went through each passage and helped us to understand its meaning. What I got from parts of it is that from the beginning of time when Eve exercised her power as a partner in her marriage to Adam....Satan immediately knew a way in to destroy families. He knew that if women had any power at all, he would loose ground. So through the ages women became second class citizens. It wasn't until that late 18th century and into the 19th century that woman started coming into their own. Wanting education and some brave ladies going to be doctors and other professions, that until then were totally male dominated. It was hard going for many years as women struggled to get the vote here in America and more and more women went to College and received an education. The problem came again, when Satan recognized what was happening and so he tipped it the other direction, where for awhile it was almost looked down upon if you did stay home and take care of your children. In some cases women became militant, feeling they didn't need men for anything. The feeling was more about me, as a woman than we as a wife, partner with husband, mother of children and someone who could hold her own in the board room or in the art world. Satan knows that balance and good judgement and the unselfish heart that is given to us is the end of him. So as women we do have considerable power, to use for the good or bad. It seems that lately the pedulum is moving more to the middle, but only in some places. Mothers are being recognized as most important to raise up their children to be good people. We have many responsibilities, and big hearts, and sometimes we get worn out, either mind or body. But here, (In the US, my church, my family and friends) we have a huge support group to help us at every turn. While in Afghaniststan during the last 30 years, women have had to choose between keeping children in their homes where regular beatings go on, starvation and no warm clothing....or taking them to an orphanage, just to let them have something to eat. Those women rose to the occasion and never gave up hoping for a better day...and instead of escaping to another peaceful place, they go back to make things better for future generations of children in their nation. These women have the same wishes for their children and themselves as we do. They are very brave. They want peace, they want to be able to go outside and play without fear of being bombed or taken to prison. It is with gratitude that I only have to read about such a place, but with admiration for the women of those nations who will fight for their rights and their children's rights, they deserve as do we all. We feel the same guilts and sadness, if we leave our children and work or are not able to support our children in the manner that many Americans have achieved. The pain is the same as we feel , but we have a different perspective, because we have been so blessed having not endured those horrors that others do, it sounds like a whole different planet. Yet I feel that women and mothers everywhere have a common thread running through us. We need to stay strong, we need to be grateful for husbands that support our endeavors to better ourselves, we need to stay abreast of the world and the people that do not share our wonderful life. We need to stay in tune with our Creator, so we remain a stable force for good in the world. I have always said, that at my funeral I want my sisters (related or not) to be pallbearers. Because my whole life from my grandmothers, mothers, sisters, friends and daughters, I have been carried by their support, their love and their strength. Women will win the battle over good and evil, because of our capacity to love unconditionally and to give of ourselves unselfishly for good causes. I am grateful to be born a woman and know that we were put here on earth for a specific purpose. We are much stronger than we ourselves think and knowing this we should go forward with great hope and optimism for our future. That's what I think....what do you think?
