Gifts

When I was 29 years old, I decided to go to law school.  I decided I needed to challenge myself and stop waiting for "the one" to come along and get my own career and make a difference in my own life instead of waiting for someone else to create a difference for me.  I heard from almost every lawyer I talked to that I shouldn't do it - not because I wouldn't be able to but because it wouldn't make me happy.  I didn't expect it (the job) to make me happy - I have known for my entire life that I am unamenable to conflict.  What I expected was that it would change my life.

It did.

Yes, I learned all kinds of things about myself - including academic humility which was new, since school to that point had always come very easily to me - but the best gift I was given in law school were my four girlfriends.  If I am ever inclined to believe in predestination or fate taking a hand in directing my life, I would say that these women were the reason I went to law school.  What I know is that I recognized the amazing people around me in school and threw any pride I had out the window in roping them into my life, in whatever I way I could.

We graduated 13 years ago, and we five friends have had about 13 reunion vacations since then, four marriages, birthed eight children and two grandchildren, moved households a pile of times, changed jobs, dithered about career decisions, and laughed and cried more times than I can count.  These women have changed my life - and to give myself credit, let's word that differently:  we five women have changed each other's life.

We just spent five days on the Gulf of Mexico, with nothing more pressing than catching up on our life stories, eating good food, and relaxing with each other.  It was restorative, peaceful, hysterically funny, gorgeous, and best of all a chance to open our hearts to each other in person and share the burden we each carry.  You know how the Grinch's heart grows three sizes at the end of the story?  I felt like my lungs expanded and I could breath three times more fully by the time we headed home.

Thank you my friends.  You are in my heart every day.  No matter how much life might beat me dow at times, I can only believe that I am amazing person, since women like you find me to be worthy of your friendship and love.  I am beyond blessed.