Grateful that I was always able to do what I wanted via /r/gratitude

Feeling so appreciative of the women before me

I recently got a new job as an art therapist and English teacher for a non profit that helps immigrant women domestic violence victims. Today was my first day and I am feeling just so appreciative and thankful of the women before me.

I was leading a therapy session of a woman who was married off at the age of 16. She told me that she always had a dream to be a designer. She liked to sew and make dresses. When she got married at 16 her one and only job was to serve her husband. She couldn’t work outside of the home, she had to be available for him, and she had to have children. 100% of the household responsibilities fall on her. Throughout their whole relationship he has been hitting her but she refuses to leave due to cultural reasons and not wanting to be labeled as damaged for being divorced with children in her 40s.

Anyway, today during the session she looked me dead in my eyes and said “I’ll never know what I could’ve been. I wanted to have a store and sell dresses. Now I get hit everyday and I am at the mercy of my kids and my husband. I hate that this is my life.” I tried not to cry and I tried to comfort her. Let me be the first to say that there is NOTHING wrong with being a stay at home mom and that’s a beautiful thing. But women should have a CHOICE.

The crazy part is that she isn’t the only one. 100% of the women at my job have similar stories.

I am 26f and have a wonderful career. I live in my dream apartment in my dream city and have wonderful hobbies. I enjoy time with my friends and I am also getting my PHD. I am enjoying dating and hope to find the man of my dreams soon. I am able to do all of this due to the women that made this possible before me. I am just so grateful and appreciative of them.