Phenomenal Women

My friend Betsy sent me this quote this morning:

"Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit."

It made me laugh, but it also felt very true to me. I have a friend who had a new baby two days ago. My cousin's wife is in labor right now. I have a friend starting law school, another on her eighth Master's degree (okay, maybe not eighth.) My friends create homes, nurture their men, care for their children, build businesses and careers. They read good books and trashy magazines. They watch their weights but still know how to enjoy a good cheesecake. They focus and toil and strive, and from time to time, we share a martini or take a pole dancing class or put on a little black dress and dance up a storm.

Women are amazing. I never seem to get over it. Phenomenal. Especially the ones that I've been blessed to know and love. I often wonder just how I got so lucky.

Here's one of my favorite poems, which maybe you've read a hundred times, but I think it bears repeating...

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.