The Urban Dictionary defines a Steel Magnolia as “A Southern woman who is strong and independent yet very feminine.” Talk about an understatement. Steel Magnolias have waned since the Feminist Movement when one fabricated personality replaced another.

I was raised in the South in the 50s when being feminine meant heavily starched crinolines and gloves. We wore no white after Labor Day or before Easter. By the time I was 12, I went to the Beauty Parlor every week. Big hair was important. There was no mistaking a girl for a boy back then. We were trained to be prissy and flirty. We were princesses.

I am probably one of the worst people to be around when I am under the weather. I am usually in complete denial that I am getting sick so I just keep going on with my life as if nothing is wrong. I know my body and all the signs pretty well; I know how to kick colds, sore throats, etc., quickly and get on with my normally scheduled life.

But, once in a good while it beats me to the punch or just persists until my body finally gives the illness the right-of-way and lets it pass me by and I have to slam on the breaks.