WOMEN: Remember four ‘Ds’

I grew up in the ’50s and my mother was the “ideal woman” Jim extolls. That is until my father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

A product of the Great Depression, my mother was fortunate to graduate high school, but there was no money for college or other job training. Suddenly, from her “noble profession of housewife,” she was faced with caring for a husband with a debilitating disease, children ages 5, 6, 10 and 12 to raise, and limited marketable skills, who had never worked outside the home. She chose Beauty School training and eventually owned and managed her own business, but it took quite a toll on her. Is it any wonder she died of a heart attack at age 52?

The best advice I ever received was for every woman to be prepared for the Dreaded “Ds” — disability, desertion, death or divorce — by educating herself with job skills.

Dear Abby, in a speech to a graduating high school class years ago, said, “Girls, make sure you get an education and can take care of yourselves and families if need arises. Never expect your father, husband, or God forbid, your government to take care of you.”

Years later, I also was impacted by one of the Dreaded “Ds” and was able to carry on. I emphatically passed on Dear Abby’s advice to my daughters who are now both professional women, working outside the home, and confident that they can take care of themselves. I’m so proud of them. And their families are doing just fine.

It never was an Ozzie & Harriett reality in the ’50s for many families, Jim.

GINNY JENSEN

Post Falls