Rennaissance Woman

A few years ago a teenage girl called me a Renaissance Woman. It caught me off guard! My first thought was, "Self find out what in the world that is!" Though I was probably old enough to be her mother, and had a preteen son at the time, I didn't know if this may be the new naughty word to call your mother or other forboding adult, although our circumstances and interaction didn't seem to warrant such name calling. The second thing that my self doubt immediately conjured in my mind were images of a tall thin woman, with drastically tight curls placed in precise rows all over her head, with just the right amount of grooming powder to be chalky white. She wore a stout headband of gold inlaid with gemstone ornaments, that seemed to signify authority. In my mind her eyebrows were arched in a tentative snarl, and her lips where puckered into a harsh pout. I saw tall, stiff, crisply starched ruffles all around her neck with a tightly laced bodice cinching in her waistline. The sleeves were exaggeratedly over sized bishop style with just enough room above the top of the puff to allow her eyes to view the world beyond her sleeve when she dared to turn her head ever so slightly to see in another direction. The skirt of her scratchy linen attire was tucked and pleated to form a long train that commanded attention as it swished and rustled along a cold stone courtyard surface.

OH MY...What Was I?

This sweet teenage girl, named Rachel incidentally, with two simple words, had thrown my self -conscious soul into a downward spiral. Didn't she know I had two sons who would most likely be humiliated to have a Renaissance Woman for a Mom! Whatever that may be. How "uncool" was that? What if they hung their heads in shame, and cowered before their classmates?

Wait, I turned to look again, and Rachel the sweet teenager was smiling, and her voice held a tone of admiration when she spoke those words, "Wow! You must be a Renaissance Woman!" I smiled. I felt a small lurch of hope jump up from somewhere deep inside of me. I heaved a sigh of relief. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't a bad thing. I didn't know. How in the world could I find out?

You see, I've always seen myself as Rachel the brown, curly haired girl in high heel flip flops. I thank you for all of the compliments you sent my way in the earlier post, but it is hard for me to see myself through the eyes of talent or other special qualities. I believe that each of us, as long as we are living have a purpose and plan to fulfill, and I believe that each of us are a miracle from start to finish. I was raised with a strong work ethic and if there is a job to be done, just get in and figure out how to do it AND get it done. All of my family works that way. When I was first married, I memorized from the Old Testament, Proverbs 31 verses 10 - 31, where King Lemuel recounts things his mother taught him. The section I memorized speaks of a wife of noble character. To have noble character has always been my goal, though EVERY day I work to overcome my faults and failures. What in the world does all of this have to do with being a Renaissance Woman you may be asking by now? Kathryn Bechen is a published writer. I have her link on my side bar, because I enjoy reading what she writes and learning from her. She challenges and inspires me. A few days ago, imagine my surprise when I read her thoughts on the traits of a Renaissance Woman. It solidified in my mind that being a RW isn't so very bad after all and something that is fine and proper to have as a personal goal. I zipped off an email and told her how much I enjoyed reading what she had written.

A few days later, to my surprised delight, I received an email from Kathryn asking me if it would be OK to feature me along with some other ladies, on her blog and e - newsletter. This is the "article" where she inserted me.

One thing you must know...I would never in a buzillion, gamillion years, personally describe myself as an RW. But I have decided that it is just fine to try my very hardest to be one. AND it's not the original version I saw in my mind...I like Kathryn's description oh so much much more. Um, let's see...what would the boys say? I think they are OK with it too!

Kathryn, Thank you for the honor to be featured with the other RW on your blog and e-newsletter. Thank you for the joy you've given me. Keep writing and sharing your creativity!

Have a wonderful day.

Love, Rachel

P.S. Read Kathryn's newer article on Renaissance Men. I've decided they are the ones that RW marry! So if you are a single RW, look for a single RM! Just an idea!