In Honor of the MANY Amazing Women I Have the Privilege of Knowing

A friend sent me this email the other day -- I've received it several times, but each time I read it I have to laugh. I also reflect on the truth that lies beneath the humor.

A man was sick and tired of going to work every day while his wife stayed home. He wanted her to see what he went through so he prayed: 'Dear Lord: I go to work every day and put in 8 hours while my wife merely stays at home. I want her to know what I go through. So, please allow her body to switch with mine for a day. '

God, in his infinite wisdom, granted the man's wish. The next morning, sure enough, the man awoke as a woman. He arose, cooked breakfast for his mate, awakened the kids, set out their school clothes, fed them breakfast, packed their lunches, drove them to school, came home and picked up the dry cleaning, took it to the cleaners and stopped at the bank to make a deposit,
went grocery shopping, then drove home to put away the groceries. He then paid the bills and balanced the check book. He cleaned the cat's litter box and bathed the dog. Then, it was already 1 P.M. and he hurried to make the beds, do the laundry, vacuum, dust, sweep and mop the kitchen floor. He ran to the school to pick up the kids and got into an argument with them on the way home. He set out milk and cookies and got the kids organized to do their homework, then, set up the ironing board and watched TV while he did the ironing.

At 4:30 he began peeling potatoes and washing vegetables for salad, breaded the pork chops and snapped fresh beans for supper. After supper, he cleaned the kitchen, ran the dishwasher, folded laundry, bathed the kids, and put them to bed.

At 9 P.M. he was exhausted and, though his daily chores weren't finished, he went to bed where he was expected to make love, which he managed to get through without complaint.

The next morning, he awoke and immediately knelt by the bed and said: 'Lord, I don't know what I was thinking. I was so wrong to envy my wife's being able to stay home all day. Please, oh please let us trade back.. Amen!'

The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, replied the following: 'My son, I feel you have learned your lesson and I will be happy to change things to the way they were. But, you will have to wait nine months, since you got pregnant last night.'

Women rock -- plain and simple. And I am thankful for the many women in my life whether they be relatives, friends or simply acquaintances, who have inspired me by their courage, strength, tenacity, creativity, faith, humor, thoughtfulness -- so many things. Men would be a mess without the women in their lives.

This journey of life can be so stressful and downright difficult at times. What a blessing it is as a woman to have other females -- mothers, sisters, cousins, co-workers, girlfriends, etc. -- to support us along our bumpy path! Thank you to each of you for being my friend and my inspiration and for reminding me I'm not alone in the overwhelming responsibility of being a wife and mother. You are amazing!

Enjoy your weekend!