Phenomenal Woman

Wow, time flies and I’m not exactly sure I have anything to account for the time lost. Thanksgiving was warm and relaxing, as it should be. DH’s cousins came and we had desi-Euro style tikka turkey, aloo zera, green bean casserole and chocolate pecan pie. It was quite nice to have four days off in a row and their great company made it easier for me to keep myself away from work. DH and his cousin number one who is exactly his age had a falling out. These animated display of emotions always surprise and scare me at the same time. I grew up in a “stuff it and talk about others” type of environment, so you can imagine my anxiety during those times. He left on pretty sour terms, Insh’Allah, they will see past these differences.

Can I hear an Allalejiah for beautiful women? I have recently been graced with by the positive energy of some very wonderful ladies. I attended a diversity training led by a phenomenal, educated, talented facilitator who is the first African American president of the American Psychological Association. She was both courageous and soft-hearted at the same time.

Then I attended a fundraiser for a women’s organization which was hosted by a local chapter of Zonta, a group of philanthropically-minded professional women. The group adopts an organization that has women’s issues in their mission and vision for a period of two years and fundraises, markets and volunteers for the group. Over 300 women attended for this brunch buffet and thousands of dollars were raised in the name of single moms in need of assistance-Alhamdalilah!

I continue to attend my weekly Alanon meeting. This group is not segregated and occasionally a man will come, but it is mostly sisters that join me in our shared journey to recovery from the trauma we experience in loving alcoholic parents, brothers, husbands and children.

I joined a book club and expected that the women might be bored SAHMs. I was proven wrong and humbled by the power of a discussion group which includes a chemist, shop teacher and web designer.

Furthermore, I am proud to be able to “voice” my support to a few of my virtual friends in the Brass Crescent Awards. My votes went to Baraka at Truth and Beauty (thank you for the knock on my door by the way), Shabana at Koonj and my new favorite, the talented Maliha at Lightness of Being (Aisha, I wished for the opportunity to vote for you, too!).

Each of you are phenomenal and we each make the world a more beautiful place. Next time you look in the mirror, revel in your inner and outer beauty as a WOMAN. May you enjoy the power of Maya’s Phenomenal Woman…

PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
'Cause
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.