I am continuously reassured that I am loved and supported by the females in my life.
While driving my girls to school this morning, the ad for the retreat came on the radio. Within seconds of the commercial starting the girls grew silent. They listened. They ooohed. They aaahed. They cheered simultaneously.
I tried to not let on that they made me feel proud. But secretly I imploded with gratitude. They rally around me, and know how hard I am working.
There is nothing as powerful as the magic created when women reach out to support and listen to each other. Something mystical happens. Defenses come down. Milestones are achieved. Spirits are nourished. Cups are filled.
Women share something really special.
A couple of weeks ago, when I was feeling challenged in business, it became really apparent that what I needed was to feel connected to a strong group of women walking the same entreprenuerial road. When I am feeling low and fragile I have friendships and sisterhoods that offer compassion and gentle care. Even when nothing is wrong, just to share, to be validated, to be heard. Precious.
Alyson, Adrienne and Shelley challenge me to grow through mentorship and friendship. They're supportive, brilliant, vivacious and generous with their time.
The 'magazine team' (for lack of a better descriptive statement) Penny, Leah and Darlene bring creativity, laughter and humanity to my day to day. We share stories, successes, failures and vision.
My mom continues to be my role model. Still. Poor thing. It's true, once a mother, always a mother. I subsconciously am watching every move she makes. She is genuis, comfort, direction, support, cheering squad and now I see, where I've obtained my obsessive nature. I thought I was cursed, turns out it heredity.
My sisters, Jenna and Leah, are my grounding. The calm. Solidarity. A united front. They are the women who know me and don't let me get away with stupid shit. Accountability. Friendship.
Then there is Kerri, whom lives on the opposite end of the world, yet is my soul sister. The one who if I had $2000 and ten days off I'd fly off to do nothing really together. Shop. Giggle. Share. Plan. Dream. We've got plans to share a wooden swing at the old folk's home, where she'll smoke and we'll laugh like old goats.
I come from a long line of strong women. Each relationship holds special meaning and purpose. Each one is a gift.
Reaching out to each other is what women are good at. There is healing in words of comfort. Renewal over a cup of tea. There are shared secrets. Worries, raw spots and self-doubts confided.
My female relationships are the ones that pull out all the stops. (Don't get me wrong, I my husband is my rock, my partner and my love.) But my 'sisterhoods' are the ones that keep me sane, let me be bitchy and stoke the inner fire that fuels my desire to be and do better.
Including my girls. Those perfect works of art that are watching every stumbling, fumbling, brave, crazy, obsessive, driven, loving, brazen move I make. They're learning from me. And through my relationships.
To listen. To support. To nuture. To share. To parent. To uplift. To love. To be sisters. To be powerful.
Wow, it's all good.
P.S. See the BestFriends contest on the main page of the website... Contest Deadline April 30, 2008