This posting is dedicated to all of the amazing women in my life. You absolutely know who you are. I may see some of you almost every day, others it may only be every few years. I want you to know that you have all made me a better person in one way or the other. You give me a strength I could never obtain on my own. Your support, love, and loyalty are paramount to my life and growth as a human being. Thank you will never be enough.
A Tapestry of Friendship
I have always been one of the most social individuals I know. Ever since I was a little girl I have loved being surrounded by people. Some may think it’s some deep rooted fear of being alone, but I know better. I LOVE humans! I love to entertain. I love to be entertained. I love all the different personalities in one room. And most of all I love laughter. This brings me to something I have been inspired to talk about. Collectively, as women we are extraordinary at so many things but I think the very best is at friendship, especially with each other!
I once thought that I had reached a place in life where the true friendships I had made were the only ones I was ever going to have. I assumed that you eventually got to a place where making new friends, and real, deep friendships, was either unnecessary or unattainable - a clueless and naive assumption on my part. At 40 years old I still find myself bonding with women who I have either just met or have reconnected with after 20 + years. (Thank you Facebook). Many of these women are much like me in so many ways and many of them are very different. There are those who are 10 years younger and others who are 10 years older. They can be dissimilar from me, unlike each other, but none of this seems to matter. They all bring something unique and valuable to my life. I am humbled by their gifts and their willingness to share them with me.
I sit across tables from them and listen to their highs and lows. They hold my hand when I need to cry and check me when it’s necessary. In diverse groups we sit and laugh together until tears are falling from our eyes. I witness their love and compassion for one another and their encouragement and unwavering dedication. I am engulfed with inspiration and gratitude. Women are wonderful amazing creatures!
Now I know what some of you may be thinking...there are also women who can be catty, gossipy, judgmental, self-serving, jealous, bitter and worst of all unforgiving. I have many times in my 40 years had relationships with women like this. I myself have been guilty of more than one of these characteristics. It is true - as women we are also capable of great emotional injury and pain towards one another. Throughout some of these periods it becomes clear that moving on is the answer. There are friendships you’ve had for decades that you thought would always endure that no longer make sense. There are new relationships you’ve had for only a year and you can’t imagine a time they did not exist.
In spite of the good and the bad one fact remains solidified for me; all through these varied relationships women have an exceptional mastery for friendship. The mind-boggling facets and intricacies we as woman are made up of are remarkable indeed.
If nothing else in this post resonates I ask that we all marinate on this: We as women have a unique capacity to evolve, grow, love, learn, forgive, heal, embrace and succeed. We can build each other up and refrain from tearing each other down. It is a choice. We possess astounding attributes that are specific to our gender alone. We can and should own these things every day. We should look at ourselves and each other with a sense of pride and accomplishment. The power that we as women possess to be inspirational and honestly life-changing for each other through friendship is staggering.
At the end of the day, I see our value. I want to encourage it and nurture it always. I will forever continue to need these female friendships throughout life. And my great hope is that I in return will be needed as well.
As always...thank you so much for reading! God Bless!