We rented The Iron Lady last night.
I know, half a year late.
Regardless, I was struck over the head by this line, delivered so intensely over a marriage proposal to then Margaret Roberts — about to become Margaret Thatcher — played by the one and only Meryl Streep: “One’s life must matter.”
Here’s the full context:
“I will never be one of those women, who stay silent and pretty on the arm of her husband. Or remote and alone in the kitchen doing the washing up for that matter. One’s life must matter, Denis, beyond all the cooking and the cleaning and the children. One’s life must mean more than that. I cannot die washing up a teacup.”
As a tear rolled down my cheek I wondered what her life was like, for her family, husband, children, friends. Did she have friends?
I found this quote from her book, Downing Street Years: “Being Prime Minister is a lonely job. In a sense, it ought to be: you cannot lead from the crowd. But with Denis there I was never alone. What a man. What a husband. What a friend.”
It made me think about so MANY things.
Politics aside, her life reads so fearless, so out there, on the edge.
I was but a babe when Margaret Thatcher took her top post. I barely remember her leadership, except for that name emblazoned on my mind as a woman who was as an example that, I, a girl, someday a woman, could grow up to be anything.
Watching the movie last night made me stop and pause.
More than anything, it made me wonder — WHEN?
When will we have a female in the top post, at the helm of government, here in the United States?
In my lifetime?
Yours?
One’s life must matter.
ROCK on Jaime ! Lizette and I read this over a glass of wine cooking a little dinner up in the lovely mountains. It touched us. Thanks for sharing – she was quite a unique woman who said it straight and I always admired her for that. Not necessarily easy. Hugs! Jo and Lizette
Ah, wish I was up in the mountains sitting at your dinner table! Thanks for the note you two! The movie was both moving, sad and amazing. Just like her life I suppose. Have a toast for me – love you guys – cheers!! xo~Jamie
Wow, this post got to me. I have a male friend who went to Notre Dame, focusing on classical languages – particulay Latin – then posted a perfect score on the LSAT, and then completed law school at Ohio State. To my knowledge he has never practiced a day of law in his life, but works in a restaurant and is an amazing father to his kids. He has probably cleaned more coffee mugs than we have ever drank from in our lives. Funny how we all have different yardsticks for what matters. I don’t think it would be a stretch to guess that if my friend died while cleaning his kids’ teacups or his grandkids’ bottles, or even the coffee cups in his restaurant, he would know that he mattered. For myself, I genuinely don’t care what gender our presidents are if they possess qualities I cherish and use those to lead compassionately and with true wisdom. Good grief, that movie would evidently hit some of my hot buttons – guess i’ll have to check it out!
Oh, I know, so complex! Definitely watch the movie if you can, it’s well done, it’s sad, it’s brilliant. I don’t know how true to life it is, but it will get your heart and mind and hot buttons all going. Let me know if you see it. Thanks for reading along here! xo~Jamie