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On Sisterhood, Being A Daughter & What It Means to "Keep A Mother"

By Lola Audu

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

April 24, 2008 02:18 PM

African Women

There's nothing quite like a festive African party. For an African woman, the preparation of the food is more than a labor of love...it is hard work requiring skillful handcrafting and hours of preparation. It is within this arduous process that my adolescent memories of entertaining linger, mostly because of the women who surround my mother to assist in the cooking.

I vividly remember their arrivals. Some are wearing their "good" clothes...others carry fancy bags brimming with colorful lapas, lace blouses, high heeled shoes and headdresses. Throughout the morning, a chorus of greetings welcomes each new entrant. This intimate gathering of sisters...Click to continue reading...

Picture courtesy of OziAfricana's photostream on flikr.com

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Chris Fisher

Your Virtual Assistant - Concord, CA

I did click and read on. Beautiful, beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing. We have definitely lost our way when we don't show our daughters that we are strong and demand respect and not abuse. For us and for them. I'm going to continue my study on the website you linked me to.

Thank you again.

Apr 24, 2008 02:41 PM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Chris...Thank You. This message is so important. Every woman is someones' daughter, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, wife or friend. Loosing your way is especially sad when one doesn't know what has been lost in the process...

Apr 24, 2008 03:06 PM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Lola,

This is a beautifully written post and I've learned so much from your links and words. I often feel we've lost so much here in Canada where we all live so far away from the other women in our families. I'm fortunate that my Mother and Stepmother live nearby and I learn daily from them what it means to be a woman and protect the sisterhood.

My son's girlfriend sent me the most beautiful email last night....she is surrounded by all three of my sons in western Canada (the other side of the country from me) and she said she feels so blessed to be close to them as they are all fine, good young men and if more men were like them, the world would be a much better place. It brought tears to my eyes and at that moment I knew I had done something right, the most important thing.,,,raised kind, good men who treat women, and all people, with respect and dignity.

I believe in my heart that the world is getting better....I have hope.

Apr 24, 2008 03:11 PM

Jo-Anne...Thank You. This statement "I knew I had done something right, the most important thing...raised kind, good men who treat women, and all people, with respect and dignity" is a great encouragement. As women learn how to respect, honor and support themselves, this gift is also passed on to everyone in their lives...including the men.

Apr 24, 2008 03:21 PM

Carol Smith

Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

This has got to be one of the most poignant posts I have ever read. There is much that we, as women in America, take for granted on a daily basis.

The traditions surrounding mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, and the ever-widening circle of family are rich in history, familial customs, an emotional crossing of geographic boundaries that transcends race and distance.

To foster an environment where women are encouraged to grow and learn, to revel in our uniqueness, and to share our feelings in a safe and caring venue should not be only a dream.

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story.

Apr 25, 2008 12:08 AM

Carol, Thank you for taking the time to stop, read and share your insights. Western culture sometimes creates a sterility in relationships that stifles the vital essence of what it means to be fully human...replacing relationships for the comforts of convenience and consumerism. Sometimes, we don't even realise that we have been starving for a long time for real nourishment, the kind that the human soul craves...That is what, I think is captured in this post.

Apr 25, 2008 07:41 AM

Rosario Lewis

DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY

GRI, SRES - DDR Realty - Orange County, NY

Female unity can occur anywhere; unity of family members, friends and even strangers.

Apr 25, 2008 09:44 AM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Lola those sound like great memories. It is always very interesting to me to see or read about different cultures and how they do things. Having been born in a different country, I have also experience this myself.

Apr 25, 2008 02:30 PM

Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL

Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

I clicked and read the story. It is so well written, sad and inspirational at the same time. For me it is not an excursion into another culture, it is a caution about the cruelty and low value for life, which is still there. It often turn into not how people live, but how people survive as this 13-yo girl. There is so many places, where people are closer to death then to life. Where they do not die accidentally, but where they survive accidentally.

Apr 25, 2008 06:14 PM

Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

AHWD

Lola - we all need to be reminded of what we have lost through the generations. thanks for sharing!

Apr 26, 2008 05:00 AM

On Sisterhood, Being A Daughter & What It Means to "Keep A Mother"

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