Christian Living

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I Can do Anything (Almost)

My daughter wants to be a photographer. Not my toddler daughter, who seems to be developing prospects as a graffiti artist. No, this is my older daughter, who is 12 ½ (mustn’t forget that ½!) Anyway, she is running around with her cheapie digital camera (which stores a whole 15 photos on it) taking ‘arty-farty’ shots trying to practise for her future career.

My husband Bruce is not excited about her goals. “And what are you going to do for a real job to support your photography?” he asks Miss 12 ½.

“I’m going to be a writer also,” she says.

He repeats, “…and what are you going to do for a real job?”

Only a month ago Miss 12 ½ was going to be a fashion designer. Among her list of interesting careers are things like being a vet, an artist and a dancer.

There’s a old sticker floating around with the slogan: “Girls Can Do Anything!” and I guess it was a government initiative to encourage girls to be more career minded and to aim for roles previously dominated by males, such as those jobs with a maths or science background.

Now it seems all the pep talks are unnecessary. Girls know they can do anything and with the idealism of youth they will probably aim for it. Business women, researchers, scientists are attainable for any girl with bit of intelligence. …I hear a future female state premier is probable.

I’d like the government to start a new campaign that promotes the concept that “Rural Women Over 35 Can Do Anything”. (Although I guess this is what the Rural Women’s Network is all about – opportunities for women.)

When I was young and single, flitting around from job to job seemed fun and easy. Work in the hospitality field was plentiful and not too demanding on the brain cells. Now that I’m married with kids and struggling to pay our bills on a meagre farming income, I wish I’d been more sensible and gone to uni. …At least then I could hold my head up high when I walk into Centrelink to query my payments.

I lamented to a friend that I’d applied for several jobs around here and no-one seemed willing to employ me.

“Well…” she mused. “I guess word’s gotten out around about you.”

I can see why a lot of girls leave home and go to the city for the opportunities that offers. In a small town there does seem to be less options for females. Hospitality is an area where jobs are available thanks to the tourism industry on the Granite Belt but even a lot of those are family-run businesses and additional staff are often friends and neighbours. It’s not what you know, but who you know.

I’ve thought about hiring myself out as a consultant… not quite sure on what area of expertise, yet. But I know a lot about most subjects, and I’ll gladly give you my opinion! (Ask my husband, he would be quite happy if I’d share my opinions around instead of reserving them for him.)

Meanwhile we labour away with our veges and doing odd bits and pieces of work for people around the area.

It could be worse, I guess. I could be a woman in Nepal who has to carry heavy loads up and down mountainsides just hours after giving birth. And if I got sick from a uterine prolapse my husband would divorce me and leave me with nowhere to live. (This is not a country for those with a weak stomach.)

Or I could have 3 cars and two houses and a massive mortgage which requires me to work two or three jobs with only 5 hours sleep each night… the only hope being the prospect of superannuation being available in my 60’s so I could sit back and relax for the next year or so before I die early from stress-related health problems.

Hey, I can get stress and lack of sleep just by living with kids! And I don’t have to worry about a cranky boss!

Outside, the breeze is blowing in the stringy bark trees on the hillside. The sky is blue, clear blue - right down to where it blends with purple mountains in the distance. The only noise is the magpies and wrens around the garden. We’ve done our vege harvesting and packing for the day, and my only hurry now is the self-imposed deadline to get paperwork and washing done before tea-time.

My thoughts are my own – there is no incessant advertising on the tv blaring at me, or someone else’s music tastes infringing on mine. It is peaceful and comfortable, in this humble little house on the hill. The kids are amusing themselves and there is no worry of strangers coming to harm them or steal from our modest property.

Maybe I don’t want to do all the other jobs that are out there anyway, because that would impinge on my country lifestyle too much. It is blessing to be able to have flexi-time and be there for my daughter’s school activities, or to do some community project. Maybe it’s true, I can do anything – including extra study and going for high-flying jobs in the city - but this is the life I choose.



"Better to be poor and fear the Lord than to be rich and and in trouble." Proverbs 15:16, Good News Bible

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