But You're a GIRL!

Some of the most satisfying moments came from complete strangers.  As I worked out in the hot sun I'd often hear words of encouragement shouted my way, usually by people driving by.  One sweet elderly woman stuck her head out the window and yelled, "Way to be a hard worker!"  One teenager yelled, "that's the coolest ever!"  One father actually pulled over and got out with his young daughter.  I put my nail gun down and came to greet her.  The father said he'd like his daughter to meet me.  She looked from one end of the fort to the other and said, "Did YOU build this?"
"I sure did", I replied.  She looked at me with huge eyes and said "But you're a GIRL!"  I gave her a big smile and said, "Yes, and girls can do hard things!  I bet you can do hard things, too!"

It had never occurred to me that I would get so much more than a cool fort out of this project.   There is a sense of gratification in seeing something you have built with your own hands, but just as gratifying is knowing that one can do just about anything with the proper knowledge and determination.  It has always been important to me to instill curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in my boys.  Because if they have the desire to learn, the simple phrase "let's just google it!" can open the door to so many adventures.

As the fort was taking shape and my sons were getting more and more excited, my 6 year came and put his arms around me.  He looked up and me and said "You've gotta be the strongest and smartest mommy in the world!"

And THAT is worth every splinter, backache, and gashed knuckle. THAT, to me, is priceless.

Yes...girls can do hard things.