The 1990 movie "Steel Magnolias" is arguably the best women's movie of our time, and quite possibly the best female movie ever made to this point. "Steel Magnolias" is one of my most favorite movies that I have never tired of viewing. I recall seeing it the first time as a young lady, and enjoying a movie about a group of ladies. As I have matured, so have my perspectives on the movie. The movie never fails to make me laugh and cry, almost simultaneously. "Laughter through tears..." as Dolly Parton's character says to Darryl Hanna's character is one of the things I've grown to recognize and appreciate as an adult. I now appreciate this movie for displaying the intricacies, and community, involved in female relationships. So, in recognition of Mother's Day, I dedicate this post to my own community of Steel Magnolias.
I see many similarities between my mother and Malinn (Sally Field). My dear mother has stood next to a hospital bed holding my hand more times than a mother should ever have to do. Like Malinn, she's had doctors tell her there's nothing else medically available to cure the ails of her daughter. But, like Malinn, my momma always refused to accept anything other than the best for me! When I was 16, I endured a series of asthma attacks that nearly claimed my life. I spent a week in the hospital, and she only left once when she knew I was safe in the care of a church couple who adopted us, and I call Grandma and Grandpa Williams. My daddy told her it was ok to go, but it wasn't until I craved a cheeseburger from Whataburger that she dared to leave. She wanted to keep me calm and happy, so that's why she left, to get my cheeseburger. My mother never gave a kidney for me as Malinn did for Shelby, but she gave something more. She gave herself. Most years of my childhood she stayed at home caring for my sister and me. She has the smarts to hold a lucrative job, but she stayed focused on us instead. My mother seems sweet and passive during general interaction, but let me assure you that there are a few teachers and principals out there who know quickly she morphs into the protective momma bear when her children are attacked. Even as an adult, I always know she's got my back.
Barbara Sandiford and Kim Kaufman are my Clairee and Louisa. These are two classy ladies who have kept me basically star struck since I met them over 10 years ago. Both are globe trotters who are always a phone call, text message, email, or facebook post away. They are like peanut butter and jelly. They just belong together, and are frequently linked in my mind. I consider Barbara my spiritual mom, and therefore Kim is my spiritual aunt. Both ladies have imparted to me a sense of style, organization, self-respect, Love for God, integrity, and many more characteristics than I have space to list. These queen bees influenced my life during the years of becoming in a more long-lasting way than anyone else I have the honor of calling my friends. Both Barbara and Kim will always have a special place in my heart.
Dottie Lewis is hands down my Truvy (Dolly Parton). There is so much to say about my Dottie, so where do I begin? While Barbara and Kim helped me to recognize the person in the mirror, Dottie helped me to discover how to use my giftings in the world around me. Under her guidance, I learned to serve a pastor and his church to the best of my abilities. She served as my personal editor almost every morning a paper was due, because I always waited until the night before the due date to complete the paper. Yes, she always encouraged me to finish my assignments before the deadline, but eventually recognized that I did my best writing in the wee hours under pressure. She acted as the driving force behind encouraging me to dare to chase my dreams, especially the ones that seemed impossible. I applied for the summer semester in Spain as a result of her encouragement. Dottie taught me how to fly with my own set of wings. She is the wind beneath my wings!
Listed above are only a few of the ladies who make up my personal grove of Steel Magnolias. I look up to each of them in awe. There are many of you who have influenced my life. These are merely the tallest, biggest, and strongest magnolia trees in the grove of my life. Today, I honor each of them for participating in molding me into the woman I see in the mirror. I also thank the rest of you who make up the other trees in my magnolia forest. You all know who you are, because if you are reading this it's likely you're a magnolia too!
