Thanks For The Memories

This weekend I went to the beach with some friends. Women who are inspiring, talented, beautiful, funny and surprising. Here’s some thoughts that came to mind while we spent time together, seven women on a short trip with one agenda: celebrating our friendships and life.

As they all walk in front, six women making their way to the ocean, I realize that they are women who have helped me become a better one. 

They squeal at dead crabs on the beach and kneel down over jellyfish and I feel my heart getting full with love for each one, for what they bring, their unique gifts and quirks. The carnage of crabs is the focal point as each woman navigates our dynamics and the reality of our momentary freedom from anything that plagues. The laughter is medicine to the soul and fresh as the air blowing our hair in every direction.

I look up at the sun, just now coming through the clouds, and whisper a silent “Thank You.”

Each still checking cell phones and looking around to see what others are doing, music plays in the background as a pop filled soundtrack to our adventure. Conversations rise and fall; friendships find their way to the surface and connections are made. Isn’t that what humanity strives for most?

At the end of the day, we’re all women. For some, we value clothes and having options, but also helping others see their own beauty. Others rely on a finished face or hair that’s tame and managed, and desperately thankful for unconditional love. Then there’s ones just content to be in the company of her girlfriends, eager to love and laugh and relate, but still checking in at home with the family, the day-to-day realities fixed in their minds.  

When prompted we can be deep, sentimental and beautifully vulnerable. Words from the heart spill out with gentle tears and are greeted with understanding, admiration and open arms. We are complicated, fierce, simple, and above all, we are relational.

We are women.