With it being Women’s History Month, I find myself reflecting on all the women in my life, both past and present. My grandmother was an amazing, funny, strong, stern woman. My mom is the same but with a gentleness about her that I love and try so hard to emulate. My daughters are amazing women as well, both are strong and independent. And I have some terrific girlfriends and belong to some great groups that work very hard at supporting each other instead of tearing each other down. I appreciate the women in my life because each brings a different facet into my life. The make my life more of a kaleidoscope and less a monochrome existence. I love that.
I’ve never actually sat and thought about why I’m friends with certain people or belong to certain groups. I know that humans, by nature, are social creatures. We need to be around others, we need to belong. We don’t do well in solitude. Being an only child, I’m used to having to entertain myself, do things on my own. I was, and still am to a certain extent, very comfortable with my own company. But that can also be a weakness that I need to work towards fixing. I know that I need people around me that will challenge me to step outside of my box. To be a better me. If left alone, left to my own devices, I will withdraw into myself, into my box and lose myself.
My best friend, Paula, has pulled me into doing things that I never in a million year would have decided to do on my own. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m not about working out or doing overly physical things. I left those days behind when I left the military. But Paula asked me to do a 5K with her and I said, sure, why not. Then we did another and another. Then a 10K, then a half marathon. Every single one of these races wasn’t just a step outside the box but so much fun. I’m so thankful that I have Paula around to push me when I need it and to be there for me when I need a shoulder to lean on. Life would be so empty without her in it.
Denise is another friend that I don’t know what I would do without. She’s not just a friend, she’s a support in this adventure called raising a grandchild. She and her husband, Ken, adopted my oldest granddaughter after her mom was killed in a car accident and my son was in no position to be a parent to a baby, much less take care of himself. We were brought together because of one little girl and through that have grown into very close friends and family. She understands what I’m going through, the struggles that I have with raising my granddaughter. Having someone that I can share this whole process with, that is outside my internal circle at home but still can relate, is so very important to me. Without her there to talk things out with, to share the highs and lows with, would make all of this so much more difficult. I’m so grateful that fate brought us together.
I’ve also recently joined a couple of Facebook groups that I’m so glad I did. The New Mid run by Michele Perez Newman has been amazing. She is so encouraging and supportive of all the women in the group. She has shown me the importance of self care and stepping outside my comfort zone. Her daily video posts of encouragement have really made me stop and think about where I am in my life and where I want to go. I want to do and be better.
Finally, my sorority sisters in my online chapter are some of the most amazing women I’ve met. They’re there when I need to laugh, to cry, to vent, to chat or just to chill. They are from all over the place, of all different ages, experiences and have so much knowledge, it’s mind boggling. I’m truly blessed to have them all in my life.
So, in honor of all women out there, I tip my hat to you all. You’re beautiful, strong, amazing and oh so very much appreciated. Even if you don’t feel like people see or hear you, I do. We are capable of doing so many amazing things in this world. And we need to have each others backs. We need to love, understand and support each other. We need to celebrate the triumphs, sympathize with the defeats but most of all, we need to rise up and rise above it all and shine.
Kaz's Korner 