Growing Matriarchs
I made a quick visit to Cincinnati to see the newest addition to our family. My cousin, Betsy, had her first child…a beautiful baby boy named Andrew “Drew” Hannen. He is already sleeping better than Campbell through the night (do you detect a a twinge of jealousy in my writing?).
Drew has spiky brown hair, saggy knees, flaky skin, and dimples. Most newborns aren’t all that cute (mine definitely weren’t) but Drew really is. We spent the majority of time putting him in strange positions for pictures. I attached some of Betsy’s favorites below. I am working on announcements for her.
What occurred to me in a strikingly visual way during my visit was the strength of the women in our family.
It all started with a classy woman named Frances. Except on one occasion to Horseneck Beach, I never saw my grandmother in anything but a dress or skirt. She was impeccably dressed everyday. She fostered my love for hats as well because she did not attend church or a social engagement without a matching hat.
Frances was demanding, opinionated, clever, strong-willed, intelligent and resourceful (sometimes a pain in the *** to some). But most importantly…a matriarch. She was undoubtedly the leader of our tribe. Having our family together was exceptionally important to her. Funny she didn’t wear pants because I definitely would have used that expression.
Back to the story…we all awoke to Drew around 7am. And you could tell, we weren’t just mothers, aunts, sisters or cousins…but growing matriarchs. Not to degrade the men in our family in the least, but I believe the women hold the greatest strength. I hope when my 91 year old grandfather reads this he will agree. He couldn’t survive without the grace of his daughter.
I would like to honor the women I know today that juggle so much in their lives. 1) The wives that have been left at home to raise their children and maintain some semblance of patience and courage while their husbands fight a frightening war. 2) The women who live with their spouses while they fight addiction problems and try to maintain a solid foundation for their children. 3) The mothers that maintain a household but are required to work full-time that want desperately to stay home with their children. 4) The women that sometimes just feel under appreciated.
So to my dear cousin, Betsy…grow to be a matriarch…Frances would be proud!
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Special thanks to…Helena for being an incredible sister-in-law and perfect friend. Judy for watching the girls while I grabbed lunch.
Addition to the honor list…
Stacy Meyer - October 10th, 2007 at 12:11 pm5) Women who are single and just can’t seem to find a life partner. I guess we fall under #4 as under appreciated but I don’t feel that way. I just feel like I don’t have a person in my daily life (spouse or child) to share my journey. If anyone says it will happen when you least expect it I’ll poke their eyes out! Stacy
I have been reading the blog for a long time thanks to Betsy. It means a lot I am sure to have you as a role model. Tiffany, you clearly fall in to the matriarch category and do it with more grace than most could imagine. Thank you for sharing your life with us, it is always a great little reality check. Great pictures of little Drew, I cannot wait to meet him!
Colleen Pitrone - October 10th, 2007 at 1:21 pmWas so happy to see this posting! It’s always such a delight to visit this blog…it definately stimulates the senses…I’m either laughing or crying! Your pictures of Drew are absolutely adorable and cheers to the women in your family that I know: Caroline, you, Betsy, Suzy…you all are amazing people and I treasure knowing each and every one of you!
Jodi - October 10th, 2007 at 5:04 pmThank you for your words re: Mom. 6) The women who foster a love for beauty in language, art, music and theatre. For these things exist in your soul and can never be taken away. I had the priviledge of knowing someone like that. (Stacy, if I go first, you can have Walt. Now wouldn’t that be unexpected?)
Aunt 9 - October 10th, 2007 at 5:13 pmI second the reference to Mom, a great woman and family manager. But boy this is this ever turning into a chick blog. I have enough hormones to deal with at home
Prayers for Tim and the Troops.
TRowe
TRowe - October 10th, 2007 at 8:23 pmI’m sitting here wanting to write something in response to your comments but believe you have said it all. Granny Franny is surely smiling on you in these times. She was an incredible woman and I am so happy to have known her. I feel equally as blessed to know you as well and the many amazing women in what we all know so well to be the Rowe Family Clan. ALL my love, Winden
Winden - October 10th, 2007 at 9:13 pm