About Me

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I'm a child of God, wife to Charlie, mom to three beautiful girls, daughter to Dennis and Susan, and friend to as many as I can meet. (In that order.) Welcome to my bloggaroni. :) Follow me on Twitter: thatsmykimjay / Go to my site: www.kimjay.com

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Women my daddy looks up to...

So, let me first start by telling you guys that I am well aware that you are probably sick of hearing how great my daddy is, but man! God just threw Himself overboard when He created mine. I have to say, I know how lucky I am. Both of my parents are incredibly wonderful in their own ways. And, I guess I don't give my mom enough props for her part of wonderful. But, I just cannot let today go by without sharing some more insights I have gained on behalf of my father.
Nadia Price Strid & Dennis Roaten (my dad)

Today my mom and dad and I attended a very informal, private, get-together to celebrate the 90th birthday of Nadia Price Strid. Now, I won't go into why she is amazing - go back and read my blog about her. Amazing. But, instead, I want to share how struck I am by the unusual way I was raised.

I was the oldest and only daughter of three children. The only granddaughter on my dad's side. A man's world. My mom had one chance for teaching sewing, cooking, and all those mom-things to, and she lost out on me. I got the sewing bug, but for the rest - well, I had more interest in helping daddy fix the car, cut the grass, build things in the shop, hunt, fish, whatever. My dad calls me the son he never had. (Then, he says my brothers are the sons he DID have.) And, even though I was the girl, he never treated me as such. Never told me to go inside and help mom with dinner. Never told me not to get my outfit dirty. Never expected anything less than for me to do anything I wanted in life. When my oil on my 1976 Datsun needed changing, he showed me how. When he needed more shingles on the roof, I hauled them up. When he worked on Saturdays, I was there. I was his shadow.

So, in my previous blog, I talked about how much my father looked up to Nadia (pronounced NAY-dee-uh), and how much he learned from her. Today during the party as he was introducing these absolutely BEAUTIFUL women to me, you could see and hear the respect and admiration he had for them. "This is Dr. Alys Lipscomb, one of the first women physicians in Memphis." "This is Nadia Price Strid, the first commercial photographer in Memphis." "This is Billy Price Carroll, one of Memphis' most famous artists."

Billy Price Carroll

Dr. Alys Lipscomb

Now, remember, my daddy is a guy.

Huh? You ask. Well, think about it. How many MEN do you know who have FEMALE role models? Seriously. During the cheesy "Olympic" moments on TV, how many men say their idols and mentors are women athletes? How many male TV newscasters name Barbara Walters as their role model? Usually, it's another woman giving the girl props. It is because of my daddy that I have this seed of inspiration deep down that makes me want to BE someone. That motivates me to try at least, to achieve. Because I am a woman, and I can. His love and admiration for the women in his life and in my parents' friendships have been the backdrop for my raising.

Friends like Nadia, who is an amazing photographer. Like Judy Sides who owns her own business at the salon. Like Linda Hamilton-Orr, the Avon World Sales Leader, who succeeds at everything she does. Like Nancy Willis who is an incredibly gifted teacher, friend, and mother. Like his mom, who took care of his dad and their household for more than 50 years. Like my mom's mom, who raised two girls as a widow before meeting Papa Tang. And, like MY mom, who he still thinks is the most beautiful woman on the planet (and I agree.) These are the women my dad has talked about my whole life. "So and so used to do this." "So and so once did this." "Oh, so and so can really do this." "You should do this." "You'd be great at this." And, on and on.

Men, take a lesson from my father if you are raising a girl. Teach her how to do what you're doing. Tell her who influences you and that you admire. (Not just the men.) Most importantly, LOVE their mothers. You'll have a wonderful daughter because of it. Hey, look at me! :) ( J/K - don't hate.)

Susan Roaten (my mom)

7 comments:

  1. What amazes me about these women is that they did not set out on a path to be role models. They just lived life day by day in a world that did not give women the respect they deserved. Just think, when Dr. Lipscomb was born women could not vote.

    They are unusual because during their time in history they stepped out of the box... took a chance to live on their own terms. Sometimes only in reflection do we appreciate the extraordinary. So the lesson for me is to be conscience that today is the day that can be extraordinary. Only time will tell.

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  2. LOVE this post. Such inspiring women. Also makes me want to hug my dad.

    Thanks.

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  3. I love my Daddy too! I always felt special, not just as a daughter but as an individual. I still (at 43) love to see my Daddy's eyes light up when I do something cool...usually something out of the box, which he appreciates. Thank you for reminding me to let him know!!!! I have a great Mom as well but you know girls and their Daddy's....
    I've been following you on twitter as I figure out how to work it. You crack me up. I still suck at it but those naked girls and mommy money makers really like me ;o) May be this is my problem...I can't keep it to 140 characters lol. Keep it up you'll be huge!!!
    Leanne (Virtuallllmom)

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  4. Awesome post! I'm always thankful my kids have the best Daddy ever. Glad you do too!

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  5. Thank you so much for this post — I stumbled across it while looking for something for my grandmother — Billy Price Carroll! Nadia is my great aunt, also. I'm honored that you hold them in such high esteem. They are both amazing women — distinct in their own way, yet each has made such a profound impact on my life and on countless others.

    Again, thank you.

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  6. Hi I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother.
    -Paul Edelstein
    Memphis

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  7. Kim, Nadia passed into her heavenly abode this morning at 4 a.m. If you have a photo or two of Aunt Nadia that we can use during her memorial, the family would appreciate it.

    Richard Woodall, Pixie's husband

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