Generals and Teachers

The other day, just before my duathlon, I went into the grocer's for some bananas and a few other fruits and veggies and rather than being greeted with the usual "buenos días," was met by "Are you training to be a policewoman?" I was shocked and even looked around to be sure the owner behind the counter was talking to me--policewoman?!

"No," I answered, surprised and wondering where on Earth she'd gotten such an idea.

"Well," she went on, "you've got the body for it. I've seen you running lately and I figured you must be training for the physical exam to be a Guardia Civil or something."

When I laughed at her reasoning, an elderly man waiting to buy peppers and eggplants piped in with, "Well, why not? Nowadays there are lots of women in the civil service!" I couldn't argue with that, but left the conversation stating my lack of interest in the profession. Sure, I can "be serious" as they assured me was all it took to be good at the job, but somehow busting people for speeding, etc. doesn't get me very excited.

Once I got home, I had to laugh over the whole exchange: why in the world would anyone, much less a woman, run so much if she weren't training to be a general!? ;)

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From my latest book: Half Broke Horses--Jeannette Walls

In this day and age, she went on, there were really only three careers available. A woman could become a nurse, a secretary, or a teacher.

"Or a nun," I said.

"Or a nun," Mother Albertina said with a smile. "But you need to have the calling. Do you think you have the calling?"

I had to admit I wasn't sure.

"You have time to reflect on it," she said. "But whether or not you become a nun, I think you'd make a wonderful teacher. You have a strong personality. The women I know with strong personalities, the ones who might have become generals or the heads of companies if they were men, become teachers."

"Like you," I said.

"Like me." She paused for a moment. "Teaching is a calling, too. And I've always thought that teachers in their way are holy--angels leading their flocks out of the darkness."

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So perhaps it's my "strong personality" that draws me to teaching even though in this day and age I most certainly could become a general!