This story is probably my favorite since we read Girl Woman and Other. I simply loved how this stage of Vivian’s life unfolded in front of us. What stood out to me most was how her approach to her sickness changed throughout the story. In the begining she felt confident and even arrogant in how she planned to cope with mortality. She compared handling death with handling poetry about death, which was something she excelled in. However, she eventually realizes that she was not as strong as she thought she was. In the end, she understands that compassion and human connection hold more value than career accomplishments. As a young woman in this competitive world, I find myself contemplating the balance between work and life. Vivian’s story made me realize that life is temporary, and I should prioritize my friends and family over anything else. My career-related achievements will not provide me confront when I am on my deathbed. Far too many women, like Viviean, become absorbed into their careers, and part of the reason for this pattern is due to the pressure to prove a point. Women often feel obligated to show that we are just as capable as men. This in heingshght cause us to forget to take care of ourselves and our personal lives, including building human connections. This idea connects to a TikTok I came across about a woman struggling to accept the fact that she has to go back to work only a couple of weeks after having a baby. She explains that her newborn baby is far too young to be put into daycare, but that has to happen anyway. She also shares how the economic environment of today for the average American family is not nearly enough for only one income. Therefore, she and her husband must both go to work to make ends meet. Like her, many American women feel economic or societal pressure to go to work right after giving birth. They do not get the privilege of adjusting to become mothers. I believe women like Vivian, as well as women like the TikTokker, should be allowed and encouraged to give space for their personal lives. As Wit reminds us, life is temporary, so we should spend it with our loved ones and we should spend it being compassionate.
https://www.tiktok.com/@daefromvegas/video/7431753247741709614?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7599024759187686942
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