Nancy Jane Rubesne

I am an American woman

I wonder how my dirt floor poor German, French, and English predecessors managed to journey across the Atlantic in the mid 1800’s

I see my impoverished predecessors as they journey further across the US on foot, on horseback or by wagon looking to strike it rich in the gold and silver mines of Colorado

I hear my mother’s words of acceptance to her Japanese neighbors in the midst of a war raging in the South Pacific

I want to hear these stories richly told by the first generation, retold by their grandchildren and great grandchildren while sitting around a campfire during family reunions

I am an American woman who has ethnicity

I pretend I’m the president who morally values woman and children as much as protecting people from atrocities through military action or pressing palms with interest groups

I feel neglected by politicians who don’t understand the common woman’s perspective or the plight of the middle class

I touched the life of every one of my children and grandchildren and can’t believe that I am a great grandmother of nine

I worry the grandchildren and great grandchildren will struggle to provide for their families in this time of class immobility

I cry tears of joy as my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren fulfill their dreams of a bright tomorrow

I cry tears of sorrow for my late husband and others who have passed and not seen the legacy the next generation is creating

I am an American woman who has ethnicity and celebrates many generations

I understand that reassuring and encouraging my children, their children, other relatives and friends is an arduous challenge that demands everything I am

I say bless the person who tackles the obstacles necessary to reach their dreams or takes on with faith and hope what life throws in their path

I dream that someday all generations will be awed by the accomplishments of their descendants, cry tears of joy when we meet again and rejoice in that peaceful heavenly kingdom.

I try to take each breath as a gift and pray that I experience many more occasions that take my breath away.

I hope to leave my recipes for zucchini and rhubarb pie, zucchini and rhubarb bread, zucchini cake, rhubarb crisp, zucchini spaghetti and rhubarb jam to my children, my neighbors and my congregation.

I am an American woman who has ethnicity, celebrates many generations and has lived a blessed life