A Good

Massapequa NY

10 February, 2022

9:02 AM

Description

Of course, I am a feminist. I learned that not through the words, but the example of my Mom, Anna King Donlon navigated the household of her adult male siblings with an iron, not velvet glove, while keeping her own husband and three daughters from harm In her spare time Mom worked part time and read incessantly nightly before retiring. My Mother never marched for women's rights; she was too busy working to achieve them. No, I had no choice or desire but to follow in Mom's footsteps, Today, I wonder if she would smile or be shocked at what I am about to reveal. Until not so very long ago, there were many of the masculine gender in my world. I was blessed with not only an unforgettable husband but three sons as well as our beautiful daughter. They filled our home with friends, mostly masculine, that soon became part of our household. Then life changed, as it does for all of God's children. Not only did the size and structure of our household diminish, but so did my social landscape. Now I welcome the few males I encounter and look forward to even brief interludes of polite conversation. My favorite of course is Will who visits weekly, but I also enjoy precious moments spent with my two beloved sons as well as the indescribable joy from daily conversations with my daughter. I embrace the friendship of my female counterparts, but I would be untruthful in not admitting the truth of the old adage, vive la difference. It's fun to hear what the male brigade think. Conversation takes on a different element with the masculine viewpoint. There is a different rhythm in the camaraderie at a dinner table, and yes I admit I do miss that. Although I had no brothers, there were often three uncles, one grandfather and three male cousins also sitting around our kitchen table in Hells Kitchen. The cousins made me giggle; the Uncles and Grandfather made me aware of politics and my beloved Dad allowed me to dream impossible dreams. So, yes, I enjoy an occasional male presence in my limited world and as time marches on, that occurs less and less. I lost one of the remaining masculine influences this week when I said adieu to the retiring charismatic MD who became caregiver of my medical needs when I relocated four years ago. Although I am a fierce proponent of women's role in the 21st Century, I felt a fleeting moment of sadness when I learned his replacement will be a woman. I was surprised at my reaction and wondered what Mom would say. Must I be ashamed in admitting how much I enjoy the opposite sex? Can I still maintain I am a feminist? Do I dare to tell the truth about how much I enjoy the male influence?