Women in my life

"You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
Christopher Robin

The first time I read this quote I thought of my stepdaughter. She likes to put herself last in her family, like she isn't deserving of good things. We certainly never raised her like that, but she managed to adopt that self-esteem level anyway. I think I recently got her to think about it when I said she was being a role model for her daughters and teaching them that this is normal and good.

Today I got email from a friend in an abusive relationship. I don't think he is physically so, but boy is he emotionally. She wants to get rid of him, but doesn't think of herself as strong enough to do it. I think she is wrong with all the trials in her life she has already survived.

I just want to tell the women in my life that we are all stronger, smarter and braver than we think we are. Sometimes we just have to prove that to ourselves. I have my fingers crossed for both these women, but the ball is really in their court.