Most are familiar with the play and movie, Steel Magnolias. The term has definitely come into common usage as defined above and I am proud to say that I live with a Steel Magnolia.
Ginny, born in St. Louis, spent her early months living in Wilmington, NC, where she learned to be a steel magnolia from the very best. I've always referred to Gin as a steel magnolia or an iron paw in a velvet glove. This has become more readily apparent since Sam's passing.
Like many women who have spent time caring for an elderly and infirm man, Ginny put a lot of her personality in storage. She took a back seat to Sam's needs during his last years and I'm very grateful for that, if not a bit chagrined to admit that I didn't realize the toll it took on her until after Sam passed.
Since Sam's passing, Ginny has come back into her own. She's happy and confident again. She's thrilled when she sees me packing the dog bag for an agility trial and can't wait for the adventure. A dog who started out more like M'Lynn Eatenton is maturing into Ouiser Boudreaux! She's sassy and funny and very, very independent! She's taken to flirting with young, intact male dogs as well as turning her charms onto older men of the human species! This weekend, without being invited, she introduced herself to an older gentleman who was set up near us at the agility trial. He sat down and she promptly got up and walked over there to get some affection from him. He hadn't even glanced at her.
Like any true steel magnolia, Gin still has her strong side. She doesn't hesitate to let dogs who are being too forward know what she thinks of their inappropriate behavior. The thing is, she does it in such a lovely, polite fashion that no one takes any offense. The correction is swift and appropriate. However, when the devil sits on her shoulder she will have a little fun with the miscreant and stalk him or her; striking terror into their hearts if they have any intelligence at all.
Gin is such a lovely girl. I sometimes wish more of her personality had rubbed off on Moira. Maybe the next dog.... In the meantime, I dearly love my Steel Magnolia and am hoping for many, many more years with her.
Another great post, Dina. I enjoyed it!
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