Newcomer gives kudos to San Marcos women

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Doni Weber

October 31, 2009

By Doni Weber The San Marcos Record Sat Oct 31, 2009, 11:55 AM CDT

Although San Marcos roots run deep in my family, it was not until 2007 that I finally got the opportunity to live here.

Within a year, I was in love with “my” new city: The river, the library, the activity center, my church, my neighbors and San Marcans in general. Two years later, I’ve settled in. I no longer arrive 20 minutes early for every appointment, still accounting for Austin traffic as I did when I first arrived.

I now figure that six minutes is enough time to get me just about anywhere. That is, unless I encounter a train. Oh, yes, the trains. I even love the trains. They lull me to sleep at night, and those inevitable, maddening delays in traffic are an opportunity to take a deep breath and slow down for a few minutes. At least I try my best to look at it that way.

Although I hope I never take its positive attributes for granted, I’ve grown accustomed to my new city. There is one phenomenon, though, that continues to amaze me more and more the longer I live here: San Marcos women.

I don’t stop to think about it often, but a recent city ceremony in which Frances Breihan, Nova Festervan and Ellie Stewart were inducted into the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame put the exclamation point on an observation that began as soon as I moved here: San Marcos women are strong, and they get things done. I have commented to friends I left behind in Austin that there is a phenomenon in this city that I have never experienced elsewhere.

It is as if there is a big, loving, but very tough organism comprised of wonderful women whose message to a newcomer is very clear: “Welcome. We’re glad to have you. Now roll up your sleeves.”

My head spins at the energetic efforts I see exerted everywhere I look — women planning events to support worthwhile efforts like Hospice or cancer research; women delivering food to those who are hurting physically or emotionally; women helping friends or strangers in times of crisis; women dreaming up creative ways to empower the powerless; women in politics, education and law enforcement; women doing sometimes thankless but necessary work on committees.

Mayor Susan Narvaiz has declared last week to be San Marcos Women’s Week. I took some time to reflect on how blessed I feel to have been embraced by my new sisters, role models and mentors. I will reflect even more on the responsibility I feel, now that I’m here, to find a way to give back to this community that I am now proud to call home.

After all, that’s what San Marcos women do.

Doni Weber is a San Marcos resident, an editor and a crossword puzzle fanatic. Her book on Aquarena Springs, “Images of America; Aquarena Springs,” was recently published.

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