For those of you who have read my article Coming Out About Cars, please join me in saying a sad goodbye to Betsy.
In January, I was hit from behind and dear Betsy suffered mortal wounds. I got off with whiplash and trauma. I had SUCH writer’s block after the accident. Life got pretty bleak, and I got pretty down.
The financial consequences were severe – being on straight commission and dealing with insurance, injury, lawyers and such sucked a lot of energy and was a financial punch in the gut. My husband was away overseas and I had to deal with all these things myself. There were emotional and marital consequences too which I’ve had to work through and continue to deal with.
Through it all, I discovered an amazing inner strength, resilience and determination that surprised me and others around me … even those who have known me for a long time.
It made me think long and hard about what it means to be a woman … what it means to live on an island … our island … Vancouver Island … to be an island woman.
What does it mean to be an island woman?
Being an island woman means never giving up. It means standing our ground without digging in. When husbands, partners, family, friends and work associates fail us, we island women find a way to keep going. We find each other and hold each other strong. We use words and warmth to heal each other and those we love … sometimes even to heal those we don’t love and or who don’t love us.
When the money is gone, we find a way. When the hope is gone, we somehow rekindle. When the love is gone, we turn into the pain, not away. When the money flows, we share with joy. When hope is reborn, we dance. When love blooms, we embrace.
Being an island woman means living where geographical and social boundaries contain us, yet where our spirits are limitless. We don’t run away. We invite the best into our lives. We invite our dragons to tea.
We live with a sacred credo in our hearts. Here is mine:
Universe, I embrace you
As you cradle me in your presence.
I release to you my hurt, my fear, my anger and my past.
I dance in your waves and sing with your wind.
I embrace you.
What does being an island woman mean to you? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Caroline Lennox
Mortgage Broker and iLease Financing Professional
Invis – Canada’s Mortgage Experts™
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Food for thought for all women. Most of us have walked that path in some way or another. I also found your Credo inspiring.
I hope life is treating you a little more kindly.
Being a Campbell River, Island Woman to me means I can dress up – or down – it doesn’t matter. I can take my dogs swimming in the ocean or the creek. I can take them hiking in the woods. I can take them shopping and banking with me without leaving them in the car or at home. I can take them to many job sites where their “job” is to entertain the homeowners. I can hang out with my husband at home, go outside in shlumpy clothes and wave to my neighbors as they take their dogs for a walk in the woods. I can eat fresh eggs, free range meat and organic produce purchased from farmers close to home. I can breathe healthy air, eat healthy food and be at peace with life. I can be me.
Evelyn this is such a great expression of the essence of what many women I know feel. Thank you!
You continue to amaze me every day Caroline. I welcome the day we will share a cup of tea and food for thought. Til Soon. :)) Sandra
Hi Sandra. Cuppa tea and food sounds good to me 🙂
You are an amazing woman. Stand tall.
Thank you, Roy. There are so many amazing women on this Island, I hope they start to reply here with what being an island woman means to them.