Raising Little Women
This past week, I took my mom and daughters to see the latest movie version of “Little Women.” It was a wonderful movie based on the classic book. If you have not read “Little Women”, or have lost your copy as I have, you can get a complete and unabridged 1896 illustrated edition on Amazon.
I have always loved the story of the March girls, 4 very different sisters and their love for one another as they grow into young women. But I particularly love this movie version over others done in the past. Each character was crafted lovingly, somehow with more depth than past interpretations.
I used to closely align myself with Jo when I was younger. Jo is the main character, the most spirited sister, with a love of writing, a resistance to domesticity and dreams of big adventures. I always loved writing and I was going to conquer the world as a journalist for National Geographic, so naturally Jo spoke to me.
But this time around, I clearly identified with Margaret March, or Marmee as she is affectionately called by her daughters. Maybe it’s because I am now much more like Marmee than Jo, raising my own teenage daughters, living a much more domestic existence than I dreamed of as a teen. Maybe it’s because this film version played by Laura Dern is so endearing.
Whatever the reason, it struck me that this classic story is as much for mothers as it is for daughters, an encouragement that you are enough in the role you currently play, whether it is a money-making novelist or a mom trying to create peace in a chaotic house.
Whether intentional on the part of the author Louisa May Alcott, or simply coincidental, Margaret March is a great literary example of a godly woman. She clearly has her own struggles, raising 4 girls while her husband is off to war and living close to poverty. But she makes her family her first priority, as well as shows charity to her neighbors by giving what little she has to them. She makes her home a safe haven for all who enter, and helps her daughters navigate the minefield of sibling and romantic relationships, reminding them gently to be grateful and content.
Yes, the March family is fictional, but I found the movie to be a great encouragement as we start a new year and a new decade. Many people are setting lofty goals and dreaming of high achievements and there is nothing wrong with that. But if you are feeling like you are “just” a mom and should be doing much more, please take heart from the example of Marmee.
It just may be your year to write the great American novel, or get a small business off the ground. But it is just as important to pour yourself into raising little women (or men) of your own. It is just as important to be there to slog through the laundry over and over, wipe the same sticky spot off the counter 40 times a day, change countless diapers, slog through seemingly impossible homework or cry alongside teens in the middle of first loves and messy relationships.
I may be a food blogger, but I know it’s not so much what’s being served as who is being served. If you are in a season of monotony or difficulty, know that raising children to love the Lord, to be a light in this dark world, to love and serve others is the MOST important job you will ever have.
Having said that, I would like to share with you a simple recipe for slow cooker spaghetti sauce that cooks while you are in the midst of all the other things and makes enough for leftovers, or enough to feed a crowd.
This simple but yummy sauce was cooking away at home while we enjoyed the movie, then became a warm delicious meal when we returned. It uses many staples in the pantry and comes together with very little effort.
Simply brown some ground beef with onions and garlic, throw it all together in the slow cooker with some diced bell peppers, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and Italian spices. You can substitute or add Italian sausage, turkey sausage, or leave the meat out all together. Cooking it low and slow creates a delicious sauce to serve over comforting pasta or healthy zucchini noodles.
My favorite thing about Marmee is that she doesn’t claim to be perfect. She confesses to Jo that she is often frustrated and angry but has spent the better part of 40 years learning to control her attitude. If that doesn’t speak to this mom, I don’t know what does.
AuthorMelissa JoyDifficultyBeginnerFinely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef along with the onion and garlic until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. Strain out the excess fat.
Place the meat and onion mixture into the slow cooker.
Add the diced peppers, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes to the slow cooker, along with the spices. Combine well. Add the bay leaves to the top off the mixture.
Set the slow cooker to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
Serve on top of spaghetti noodles, or zoodles, if you prefer.
Ingredients
Directions
Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef along with the onion and garlic until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. Strain out the excess fat.
Place the meat and onion mixture into the slow cooker.
Add the diced peppers, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes to the slow cooker, along with the spices. Combine well. Add the bay leaves to the top off the mixture.
Set the slow cooker to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
Serve on top of spaghetti noodles, or zoodles, if you prefer.
*Recipe adapted from www.eatingonadime.com.
*As an Amazon associate, I earn a small percent of qualifying purchases made from some links in this blog.
One Comment
Edie Libby
I am so proud of you my daughter for the Spirit filled mother and wife you have become, who does her best to meet the needs of your family as well as serve others through your church and in everyday life! This blog is beautifully written from your heart and should speak to both young and old! Thank you for taking your old Mom to see this movie AND for the lovely spaghetti dinner following!