The Women I Know

International Women’s Day is dawning as I write this piece, so what else could I possibly write about today?! My inbox is flooded with sentimental greetings (mostly from men) that laud our gentle natures, admire our inner strength and commend our untiring perseverance. Many of these messages are framed in delicate pink and embellished with flowers and bows and butterflies.

And then, there are my girlfriends… K sends me a story where the frog aspiring to be prince ends up as ‘sautéed frogs legs, seasoned in white wine and onion cream sauce’! J cares less about a man bringing flowers than his knowledge of the G-spot. T is dealing stoically with the passing of a spouse, who was nowhere near perfect, and doing what she needs to do right now. V is caught up in the whirlwind of planning a daughter’s wedding. J2, M and R bravely face the dreadful prospect of losing a beloved, sick and aging parent; each remains strong and no doubt resorts to the timely glass of wine.

Each precious girl supports and sustains me in her own unique and irreplaceable way. J3 knows that nothing is unbearable if you remember to breathe and brew a cup of tea. A can always be counted upon, no matter when or for what. M is the strong ‘roll up your sleeves and fix it’ girl, but I have known her to shed the occasional tear. M2 was with me last week as we were transported by the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. And there are so many others!

I am fortunate to be surrounded by remarkable women — each with an amazing story, an incredible personality and the ability to nourish. Thank you to all you special ladies, celebrating you today and every day. I could not live without you and more power to us!

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