IN honor of women's history month......

Ladies, look how far we have come! This is now........

And this was then!

In honor of women's history month, a little history

In the early nineteenth century, women were considered second-class citizens whose existence was limited to the interior life of the home and care of the children. Women were considered sub-sets of their husbands, and after marriage they did not have the right to own property, maintain their wages, or sign a contract, much less vote. It was expected that women be obedient wives, never to hold a thought or opinion independent of their husbands. It was considered improper for women to travel alone or to speak in public.

With the belief that intense physical or intellectual activity would be injurious to the delicate female biology and reproductive system, women were taught to refrain from pursuing any serious education. Silently perched in their birdcages, women were considered merely objects of beauty, and were looked upon as intellectually and physically inferior to men. This belief in women's inferiority to men was further reinforced by organized religion which preached strict and well-defined sex roles.

I would have to say, the evolution of woman is demonstrated by the life of Erma Bombeck. Erma Bombeck was one of America's favorite humorist at the time of her death in 1996. Beloved by her wry yet warm look at family life, Erma touched millions through her newspaper column, books, and appearances. Ten of her 13 books, including Forever Erma, appeared on the New York Times Best-Seller List. Known primarily for her columns, she was also a member of the original team of ABC's Good Morning America. From 1979 until her death, her name appeared annually on the list of the "25 Most Influential Women in America" as compiled by The World Almanac. She always said her favorite food was pasta and her hobby was dust.

IN honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer, I will share some of her ideas/writings.

I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute. look at it and really see it .. . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

We all have so much to learn from her words don't you agree?