Today, March 8, is an auspicious day for our family, and it happens to coincide with another day important to about half the population of Planet Earth.
For our family, today marks the day our “baby” girl was born, 23 years ago, and was named Johanna Emilie. It’s hard to believe that she is that old already, but I guess that’s life.
My “peanut” is important to me (and to all of us in the family) for many, many reasons, and I am so proud of her. Jo is a very creative and artistic and passionate young woman, and lives with her two sisters, who are her best friends in the world.
I won’t get into all that she loves doing, but suffice it to say she continues to express her artistry, including her love of sewing and designing all sorts of items, from clothing to bags and purses — even my camera bag was made by her hand, and I’m proud to use it as I go about photographing the events and people of Weyburn and area.
Across Canada and around the world, today is also important as it is International Women’s Day, a fact that Jo loves and celebrates as a young woman, along with her two sisters. The theme in Canada for this day is “Equality Matters”, and groups are encouraging dialogue to bring out this important topic and the many issues that are associated with it, not only in the workplace but in society and in communities.
Women have struggled for decades to have equality, and even today in many countries that struggle is continuing as talented, qualified women work hard alongside men and try to be recognized for who they are.
That struggle starts when they are girls, when their parents and teachers and classmates interact with them, and they grow up and learn about their place in the world and in life, and they try to define who they are and what their dreams and aspirations are.
In many ways, the love and support and encouragement that they get as girls (or as in too many cases, don’t get) is what impacts them as they grow up and take their place as women in their communities, in school, at work and in society in general.
Having raised three daughters, who are all creative and passionate in different ways, has been both a joy and a challenge, and one of the things I’ve appreciated is how they will not pull any punches in letting me know when I need to keep the proper perspective in regards to girls and women, recognizing them for who they are.
My birthday girl is no exception, and I have to say I am thankful for her and for her passions and artistry, which have brought much joy, beauty, laughter and appreciation to my life of all things and all people.
