Before the Dodge commercial even aired I was contemplating this blog on Girl Power. I usually watch the Super Bowl as a skeptic. That thing is one well-oiled marketing machine and the nation falls into it every year. Whatever. This is one night we share with family and friends gathered around America’s favorite sport. It’s the lights, the music, the food, the commercials, the tributes to our military men and women, the celebration of competition and America, hopefully, at its best. What’s not to love.
I rarely make it through a rendition of America the Beautiful or the Star Spangled Banner without tearing up and last night was no different. In my amateur opinion I thought Jennifer Hudson and the Sandy Hook Children’s Choir couldn’t have done better with the amber waves of grain. And Alicia Keys gave one of the most stirring performances of the National Anthem. It seemed very unpretentious, not over sung and simple.
Beyonce definitely delivered a show. I know some will say her prancing and dancing was a little too zealous, but I give her props. In the past years, halftime shows have been done by bands or multiple artists. Beyonce did this one on her own.
But the girl power shot of the night has to go to the young farm girl standing in her field during the Dodge “God Made A Farmer” commercial. (I’m not tech savvy enough to pull out the still shot of her, but my mom is. Thanks for the photo Mom!)
From Dodge’s “God Made A Farmer” commercial: this still is me, my daughter, my sister, my niece and every other girl who finds that moment when she knows that the world is at her fingertips if she works twice as smart and twice as hard. Girl Power!
In that moment, all of my youthful pride and passion of being that girl, that farmer’s daughter boiled over. That was me not too long ago, overwhelmed by the need to spread the word that American agriculture in all its diversity is great today, but working toward greater tomorrows; driven by a need to prove myself worthy to my grandpa and dad; all the while holding on to the dream that one day I would build a life on a farm and be a part of the family’s legacy.
I saw my grandmother, mother and mother-in-law in that picture, as quintessential farm wives, showing me the humble quiet strength of a woman in her gentle touch as a mother and in her unwavering support of her family’s efforts on the farm, in the church and community.
Last night, as I peeked in on my sleeping fairy farm princess, I prayed that one day she stands on our farm in all her sparkles, arms crossed, face set with determination as she paves new paths in this world.
Girl Power.
So if the anthems to this great country brought a tear to your eye, now your words have brought a proud tear to mine. Girl Power rocks!
Thanks Mom.
I loved when it switched to that image above because it reminds me of our daughters. And we’re not even farmers!
Yea . . . I think most anyone with daughters (not just farmers’ daughters) can understand the idea of “Girl Power” and see the determination on her face. Thanks for the comment.
Katie, we can only hope Natalie follows in her mothers footsteps. Susan
I remember watching that ad. My skin prickled and my eyes filled with tears. That was one powerful plug.