Being well behaved

"Well behaved women seldom make history"

“A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that I know will not hurt me.” (or maybe she will) - Abraham Lincoln

So, most of my life I have prided myself on being obedient, responsible, and thoughtful. I don't do things because it might reflect poorly on my family. I don't do things so people won't think poorly of me. Then the other day I was looking through pictures of my grandparents and great-grandparents... and this got me remembering stories that I've heard my whole life. These stories paint pictures of some of the wildest people.

"I’d much rather be a woman than a man. Women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they're the first to be rescued off sinking ships."

From the tawdry to the downright violent- I come from a long line of women who did whatever they wanted. Some women in the early 1960's might have put up with an abusive husband- not my grandma- she took her two kids and high tailed it to another state. When she arrived in the new state she befriended a mob boss. So when the SOB inevitably tracked her down she went to the mob boss and stared the ex down while the mob forced him to dig his own grave- they let him go with the promise that if he ever returned to the state he would take up permanent residence in that grave. Another grandma broke a banjo over the head of a woman for making eyes at my grandpa. My dad's mom was offered everything from a car to a college education (in the 1950's) to not marry my grandpa- their fiftieth wedding anniversary is coming up so you can tell that didn't deter her much. My eighty-two year old great-grandma used to volunteer at the temple but still dropped the F BOMB when watching a Jazz game. One of my great-grandma's was universally feared- by men and women- because she had a reputation for being so tough. I have all of this passion, determination, and pure will-powered flowing through my veins- and being reminded of this made me realize that I can be like these women.

"If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased". - Katherine Hepburn

These women were highly respected, well liked, and fiercely loved. It's almost as though remembering their example gave me permission to be like them. So, I'm not saying I'm going to change over-night- but get ready for some scandal- or at least some impetuousness. It's like their legacy has given me permission to stir things up a little- live outside the box.

“I don't mind living in a man's world as long as I can be a woman in it.” -Marilyn Monroe