You missed it!

On March 8, every year people in Poland celebrate International Women’s Day. This was a special day I had been oblivious of until I moved here. Even after I lived here for many years I didn’t realize it was a thing.

Then one day, years ago, I was coming out of a shop and I was handed a single red rose. I was startled. I asked the lady, “Why?” She told me “International Women’s Day”. “Oh,” I said, “Thank you!”

So I took it and brought it home and put it in water.

But what in the world is this holiday? It’s International, yet I had never even heard of it in the states. I’ve seen that here in Europe and even other places in the world seem to give a nod to it than in the USA. Maybe nowadays sometimes the news mentions it, but 25 years ago, I don’t think it ever got much of a mention in the US news. But maybe I’m not the best one to comment on that since I grew up without a tv and still didn’t have one after I was married and lived there.

So what is it?

In Poland, it really just means that people here say “Happy Women’s Day” to each other and people buy single stemmed flowers by the bunch and give them to women mostly at the workplace. I went to Lidl on Monday morning and they were selling them very fast —that is, bundles of single stemmed flowers.

Someone gave me a single rose on Sunday at church and told me “Happy Women’s Day.” I had forgotten all about the holiday!

I visited another friend in the afternoon and since she never gets out (I guess you could call her a shut-in), and loves flowers/plants, I gave it to her.

Anyway, just in case you didn’t know, it was officially started by the UN in the 1977 and is a day where they are trying to bring about attention to the equality of women in the workplace and as government heads and other leaders. It originated from labor moments in the early 1900’s but wasn’t an international holiday until 1977. This is a day that is supposed to bring attention to all that women have brought to society. (We already knew that, didn’t we! And even when we aren’t appreciated, we still know - we just smile inside and keep working. At least that is what I do.)

And while it is celebrated, it isn’t a real holiday - as in a day off.

I just figured it was about bringing money to florists. A flower is nice, but most women would prefer to celebrate a day like that with a day OFF - no cooking and even the day off from work just to do whatever she wanted to do - a day for herself.

But they didn’t ask me!

However, my husband did take me out to eat. Well, we went to eat through a drive-through and then ate in the truck. That’s about the best we can do at the moment here in Poland! But I appreciated it!

So, just in case you didn’t know - you missed it. International Women’s Day is March 8 every year. If you are a woman, it’s YOUR day - enjoy it!

Next year. :)

Have a great day wherever you are reading this! Stay safe!

Be sure to check out what my sis has for you in the store here!

Here’s one of the beauties we have!