My husband sent me a text with that message (Happy International Women’s Day!)first thing this morning. I had just woken up and didn’t realize he’d left the house so early. Also, I wasn’t aware that it was a special day, so it was a nice surprise.
It made me mull over why IWD exists. Why must we celebrate women in this way? There is no “International Men’s Day”! When I mentioned that at work a colleague said, “That’s the other 364 days of the year!” and perhaps he’s right. On the whole, women get the raw end of the deal an awful lot. I certainly wouldn’t put myself in that category but many women all over the world are still living in terrible isolation, poverty and repression. It’s important not to forget that in our part of the world things have moved ahead faster than elsewhere. Trite as it sounds, we can’t ever take it for granted.
I feel extremely fortunate to live in a country like Canada, with all its faults, where women have opportunities (almost) equal to the ones enjoyed by men. Where my husband is okay with making dinner most nights of the week and realizes that since we both work, we both have to pitch in on the housework. Equality is partly appreciating our partners’ contributions and efforts and putting the proper value on them.
I am posting a photo of the flowers my husband, Dave, gave me in honour of the day. Thanks, Sweetie! He knows how much I love them, especially during the cold, dark winter!
Also, the OSM recently played Rachmaninoff’s 3rd piano concerto in a concert with Denis Matsuev playing the solo and Mikhail Pletnev conducting. It was a truly memorable experience and I thought I’d share a version of the third movement with Horowitz playing. Enjoy!
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