What is Strong?

What is this word- Strong??

I came across this:


His mama is strong because she spent almost 20 hours laboring naturally before reaching 9 centimeters. She is strong because even after her dream of a home birth was crushed because of a heart rate decels and meconium she agreed to transfer to the hospital for her son's health. She is strong, because even with doctors permission to continue naturally, she followed her mommy instincts and demanded the c-section that shortly after saved her life. She is strong because she survived a complete uterine rupture.

She is strong because the day after having major surgery she traveled an hour to the children's hospital to be with her son. She is amazing because she was thankful for the 4 short days she was given with her sweet baby boy. She is strong because she soaked in love for her baby as he passed in her arms. She is amazing because she still believes in natural birth. She is a survivor because she perseveres everyday to make her 2 year old and 4 year old feel safe and loved. She is strong because she will forever live without a piece of her heart.


It did strike a nerve with me. Now, please don't get me wrong, I feel that all loss moms are strong, all of us. It takes a ton of strength to keep going after enduring a heartwrenching tragedy like losing your child. What really bothered me here is the comment about natural birth. To me, this is saying that it's weak to no longer hold the same views of birth as you did before. Speaking from the opposite side, I don't see anyone as being weak for changing their views after a loss. Personally, I think it takes a lot of strength to look at your views and say "Maybe I was wrong" or "This no longer matters to me". It takes a lot of strength to stand against the community you were once a part of. It takes strength to speak up and endure the onslaught directed at you.If this mother had changed her views, would she still be strong in the eyes of the community? I think we all know the answer is NO.

I asked friends the question- What Makes a Woman Strong? The answers I got were- We just are, Jesus,  Getting up when life knocks her down, Giving herself credit for her accomplishments, Her children, Adversity, Pain threshold, Ability to stay sane considering all we deal with, Independence, Intelligence, Trials, and Love.

So, Readers, I ask you- what makes a woman strong??