IS NOT JUST FOR MEN BY LAUREN GREEN MCAFEE
LEAVING A LEGACY
IS NOT JUST FOR MEN BY LAUREN GREEN MCAFEE
Have you ever had a moment where you realized a subconscious assumption you had about life? For example, assuming that everyone folds laundry in a similar way, and then when you have a roommate or get married, you can’ t understand there’ s such a different philosophy of how two socks should be folded together. Or perhaps it is something more meaningful, like assuming that all people should have kindness in their heart toward others, and then one day reality shatters that assumption. When assumed truths aren’ t met, we often question why we had that assumption in the first place. I recently had this type of experience in a way that had a meaningful impact on me.
Not too long ago, my husband Michael and I were strolling through the city of Paris on an overcast day, soaking up the last few hours we had in the city before heading to the airport. We are both fast walkers, so our idea of strolling might not be the same as yours. The benefit of walking fast is that you get places sooner. The down side is that you might miss meaningful scenery along the journey, as was nearly the case that day in Paris.
As we made our way down Rue de
Rivoli, something caught my husband’ s eye. We had walked past this particular intersection a number of times, but neither of us had stopped to appreciate the giant monument that we noticed now.
Standing thirteen feet tall in gilded bronze was a statue of a valiant leader. The sculpture depicted a warrior on horseback, with full body armor, and a flag in hand. Interestingly, I automatically assumed this statue commemorated a man. Life experience has taught me this assumption is nearly always valid. Most characters commemorated through statues are men. But that day in Paris, this monument of a warrior was actually commemorating a woman! Joan of Arc. She was a woman of brave leadership and vision who is worthy of the beautiful sculpture in her honor.
The realization of my own assumption that it must be a man surprised me. It was a pleasant surprise that it was a woman being represented. This isn’ t to say the men with monuments aren’ t to be celebrated. Monuments are often representing men of character and accomplishment. Men who won battles, lead countries, or obtained other great achievements that should be celebrated. They are men who left a
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