International Women’s Day

I’m not going to particularly talk here about the importance of International Women’s Day or what it means, I just wanted a quick word about some of the thoughts it triggered in my mind about the women in my life. 

For the first 25 years of my life, there was one very dominate woman in our family – my Gran. She was five feet tall, Welsh, and the phrase ‘doesn’t suffer fools gladly’ could have been written for her. She was not afraid to tell anyone what she thought, often to the point of embarrassment for those around her, she would sit me on her lap as a child and try to get me to drink gin and tonic, and she had a really annoying habit of clutching me to her chest when I had a cough, when really all I wanted was some space to breathe. She was also very intelligent, funny, determined and hard-working. 

Our family has been rather dominated by women ever since, and between us we are some pretty strong characters. I can’t imagine what it must be like as a man, coming into our family, but I would think, (or perhaps I like to think), that it’s a little daunting. We are strong, but not at the expense of our compassion. We know what we want, but are also generous with our time and support. Most of all, we are always there for each other.

I have a favourite quote that always makes me think of my own daughters, Bee and Belle, and of my Gran. I think it would make a pretty good family motto for us. 

Happy International Women’s Day to you and all the fierce women in your life.

(Just to annoy Belle, I used a font in this graphic called ‘Courgette’…)

International Women's Day And though she be but little, she is fierce

Follow:

13 Comments

  1. 8 March, 2016 / 11:44 am

    I can certainly relate to that. Grans and nans can have a huge influence in our lives; some great memories personally of my lovely nan. Love your quote.

  2. 8 March, 2016 / 2:56 pm

    This reminded me so much of my own nan – she was an awesome character, and definitely didn’t suffer fools gladly! :D

  3. 8 March, 2016 / 4:22 pm

    My gran was a massive influence on who I am, and how I am. She was my go to person in times of stress and, as my mother was an alcoholic, that was very often. So, although situations are different, I get what you mean completely. Big up the grans. :-)

  4. 8 March, 2016 / 8:54 pm

    So amazing to read about your characterful and awesome nan. I’m so glad I have fierce and strong women in my family to show me how to do it and how to ignore the stereotypes. x

  5. 9 March, 2016 / 8:45 am

    So cool to hear about your gran – my own Nana and Grandma were also hugely influential on me. There must be something magical in that grand parental relationship thing. Happy Women’s Day!

  6. 9 March, 2016 / 10:35 am

    Ah, Ebony has a t-shirt with that quote on! My parents bought it her. It’s so fitting. xx

  7. 9 March, 2016 / 12:58 pm

    One of my fav quotes too. I love your nan tried to get you to drink gin! I used to sneak a puff of my nanny’s cigarettes! History and heritage is a powerful thing, lovely of you to acknowledge it!

  8. 10 March, 2016 / 3:04 pm

    A lovely tribute. I miss my grandmother so much and I really wish i could have known her and spent time with her as an adult. Here’s to all the great women in our lives – where one art would we be without them?! x

  9. 10 March, 2016 / 3:06 pm

    ah love that quote!! My Grandma was a just like yours!!!

  10. 11 March, 2016 / 11:52 pm

    Ha! I love the idea that you’d purposely annoy your child with your choice of font.

    Your gran sounds like a wonderful woman x

  11. 12 March, 2016 / 1:06 pm

    I love that quote too. My gran was tiny really but could be very fierce and staunchly independent. I think it’s a great one for our daughters too! xx

  12. 13 March, 2016 / 11:32 am

    Love this – I am also from a family of strong women … only the best men stick around! I love that quote and I think about getting it for Joni on a t-shirt or something … but then I think that she’s not actually that ‘little’ … in that she’s 5 and years age 10 clothes … ha!

  13. 14 March, 2016 / 8:50 pm

    Oh my goodness your gran sounds brilliant. What a lovely post Jo – I really enjoyed reading about the women in your family. And I’m also a huge fan of that Shakespeare quote.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.