My friends and family are my support system. They tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear and they are there for me in the good and bad times. Without them I have no idea where I would be and I know that their love for me is what's keeping my head above the water.
Kelly Clarkson
I love this quote, except that I would change it to, “My children, my husband, my family are my support systems and best friends.” (and, BTW, Kelly is not a relative of ours! )
We three girls have had quite a taxing season and it has meant that we have sort of been falling apart. After a Christmas filled with Lilian being hospitalized and ill for over a week; 26 podcast recordings, a book launch, 3 conferences, 2 respiratory infections and one terrible stomach virus for all of us, company, deadlines and just the stress of life, we found we were operating constantly dealing with “duty” but not operating from a personal space of friendship, filling one another up.
We need to reinstate our “Girls’ Club” meetings. And so last Thursday night, we three made time to meet in a charming little French cafe near our homes. Flickering candlelight, a tiny bud vase with a fresh flower, an old tile fireplace mantel with art prints piled in a charming way, old wood floors, provided a framework for us to enter into a civilized time of sweet fellowship and friendship together. We needed personal time with one another so share our worries, thoughts, pondering, stresses, giggles—to bear one another’s burdens.. And we all ordered an appetizer because it was cheaper! :)
“You go first, Joy! What is most on your heart? What has been occupying your thoughts?”
And so we took turns to “be heard” and to share together, to giggle, to marvel at the lovely food. Nothing was changed, the world still kept revolving while we met, but our hearts were changed and warmed by the connection we now all felt. Someone had “heard” us, “seen” us, and now we felt supported to go back into the world of our currently taxing lives. But now, we knew we would not have to do it alone.
So many of you have written to say you have been inspired by Girl’s Club book and you are making ways to initiate to women to gather for creating life that will strengthen your own hearts and souls.
It takes time to develop community and a kinship with women and friends, the kind that will warm you to your toes. It takes time to create history, to cultivate understanding. Yet, gathering and creating friends will keep you faithful to your ideals, stronger in your faith and more emotionally stable through all of your years.
Join us girls today as we share our own thoughts about challenging life, falling apart and how we are moving towards sustainability, and read passages that come from our heart to yours.
But be sure to start or continue your own girls’ club so that you will not be alone in the burdens of life, but walking side by side with one who wants to help you bear your burdens, giggle at your mirth and make memories that will serve you for a lifetime.
