March

(Me on my 17th Birthday. This year I'll be celebrating my 49th Birthday.)

I always focus my blog posts on one of the three big B’s in my life: Books, Boys, and Bodies. (Books – because I’m a reader and a writer. Boys – because I’m the mother of a son and a former elementary school teacher. Bodies – because I live with an invisible disability.) 

This week’s post is slightly different. Because I realized those big B’s in my life, those central ideas that are so important to who I am and what I do and how I go about my days, can actually all be represented with an M — the month of March.

You could almost summarize my life just by taking a look at our current month. 

Let me explain.

March is the month of birthdays — my mom’s and my son’s (on the same day!) and mine.

It’s the month of anniversaries — my parents’ wedding anniversary, the anniversary of my first date with my husband as well as the anniversary of my last day of teaching (both of these life-changing events happened on the same date, just 16 years apart!)

It’s the month of special days — including Read Across America and the First Day of Spring.

It’s the month of important days — International Women’s Day and César Chávez Day.

It’s the month of awareness — Women’s History Month and Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month.

Of course I know I am more than the sum of these days. The first day I became a mother, the last day I worked as a teacher. 

But it’s quite a coincidence to have all these days happen within one particular month. 

And each year, I find I am becoming increasingly reflective, more emotional, and more surprised by how these days touch me. 

Dear Readers, do any of you have a month that means to you what March means to me? If you’re comfortable sharing, I’d love to know.

Inspiring Words

Women’s History Month is celebrated throughout the month of March, and last Friday, March 8th, was International Women’s Day.

In the spirit of celebrating innovative, pioneering women, I’d like to share some quotes from my most recent library discovery.  (On a side note, this is why I can’t merely browse online for a book.  I need to wander and peruse the shelves, because I never know what I’ll find, what book will be waiting for me when I need to read it.  That was the case with this book: Great Quotes from Great Women – From Marie Curie to Michelle Obama – inspiring words from women who have shaped our world.)

I haven’t finished the book yet, but here are some of my favorite quotes so far:

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” – Audrey Hepburn

You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” – Michelle Obama 

I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them.  I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.” – Michelle Obama

There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world.  Love of books is the best of all.” – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

I do the very best I can to look upon life with optimism and hope and looking forward to a better day.” – Rosa Parks

I would like to be remembered as someone who was not afraid to do what she wanted to do, and as someone who took risks along the way in order to achieve her goals.” – Sally Ride