Broads? Really? You call yourself a broad? 

I know, I know – it is not exactly the term I was looking for.  I am not sure the English language has a word for the person that I am trying to describe and be.

I played with “old women” – but Babas in shawls, sitting in rocking chairs came to my mind. I am a baba and I do like to sit in a rocking chair, but that is not all that I am. Old Ladies – no…visions of politeness, ladies’ aides, lessons in proper etiquette – again a touch of who I have had to become, but not at all what I am looking for. Old dames, old babes – no, too surface, too stereotypical, not enough substance. While I hope a part of me is still a babe to someone special, it doesn’t describe the package. Female – is that the term? – No, that connotes breasts, vaginas and fallopian tubes and although I have had to learn more about these parts than I care to, I am much more than my biological parts.

Now…Broads – the dictionary definition is, “slang term for a woman. The broad could throw a mean punch.” Well, I am a woman and if my back was against the wall, I could throw a mean punch. While browsing the dictionary, I also found that broad means: “broad in scope and content,”; “showing or characterized by broad-mindedness”; “a broad political stance”; “generous and broad sympathies”; “tolerant of his opponent’s opinions”; “inclined to respect views and beliefs that differ from your own”;  ….the term Broad has won my favour.   I may not yet be a perfect broad but those are the ideals that I try hard to stand for.

I am a sixty-seven year old woman, wife, mom, mom-in-law, grand-mother, sister, friend, Breastfriend, author, retired teacher, and principal. I was a daughter and a daughter-in-law.  I believe in tolerance, no not tolerance – acceptance, and equality.  I believe that we nurture happiness and love, or we choose insularity and hatred.

I pick Broad. In fact, I am proud to be a Broad. I know I am still learning how to be a broad and I hope I can live up to being a “Good Old Broad”.  

What have I learned in my sixty-seven odd years that might be meaningful or helpful or at least entertaining to anyone?  What does this broad have to share?  Lots and lots – I have learned lots. I don’t know if that means that I started my independent life especially dumb and naïve.  But I do know, that I have made many mistakes, and have had many wonderful life moments, and many not so wonderful, and even some down-right embarrassing experiences.  I have learned a little about life, about parenting, about teaching and child development, about being a partner and good friend, and about roasting a good roast beef and making an apple pie.

I also know that I love to talk and share stories and gems that I have learned. So from all of that comes the foundation for What Old Broads Know.   I hope you enjoy the ramblings, if only to entertain, or make you drowsy and ready for sleep.  It was never intended to preach.  We all have our beliefs and our attitudes; I have long past learned that mine are no more right or proper than yours.  I hope you enjoy!