August 27-B, 2022

Patricia Lake Reflection 09/22/2007 Oil Paint Rendered — Jasper National Park, Jasper, Alberta
All of my women heroes are actual,
all of my men heroes are fictional.
I don't know what to make of that.

Helen Keller and Ann Sullivan head the list.
Princes Diana,
Eleanor Roosevelt,
Dolly Parton...
the list is really long

Tevya,
Chauncey Gardner,
Atticus Finch.
That's about it.

There are men I admire,
Joseph Campbell,
Sheldon Knopp,
Shel Silverstein...
but I wouldn't want to pal around with them.

I would like to spend a lot of time
in the company of the women
I think of as heroes.
And all of the men on my list
have a tender, feminine, side.

I seek out in others 
what I yearn for in myself--
and for myself--
and find it more in women
than in men.

And, that leads to this:
The women I know and know about
are more self-aware
and compassionate
than the men I know and know about.

Two more qualities I seek in myself
and for myself.

So, if you look for me in a crowded room
(As if--I would never be in a crowded room),
I'll be talking with the women,
not the men.

–0–

Published by jimwdollar

I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing. I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters and five granddaughters within about twenty minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything.

One thought on “August 27-B, 2022

  1. This is quite observant and self aware! I, too, enjoy the company of females, and know he most important people in my life have been female role models, and yes, heros to a great degree.✅

    Liked by 1 person

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