Just returned from lunch with 4 high school classmates.  The occasion followed the memorial service for the mom of one of them.  She was nearly 99 and my friends have not lived here for well over 50 years - so the crowd was small.  There were loads of memories and sharing and it was good!

Lunch was even better.  Their family joined them and the two of us who were classmates got to tag along.  The conversation turned to where we had traveled in life and the funny things that had happened along the way.  What was bittersweet was that I may never see them again as they live on the east coast and now have no reason to return to this part of the world.  Although those words were not spoken, I just knew it in my heart that unless there’s another high school reunion - our paths will part again - perhaps forever.

It amazes me how many of us who walked the hallowed halls of our high school have remained in touch and on more than rare occasions, come together to catch-up and share.  The kids have grown and are on their own; but when together, it seems just like yesterday that we were wolfing down cheeseburgers & fries at the local “snack shoppe”; listening to the jukebox and watching for our favorite male to walk in the door.  How we giggled when he did!

It’s good that friendships last as long as ours have.  We were close as teens (some of us go back to 1st grade) and although time, space and age have separated us, we’ve remained attached in some way for over 50+ years. 

With all the talk about the importance of ‘relationships’ these days, mainly for business purposes; it’s good that some relationships are - simply because they are! 

How many times have I said we are made for relationship.  We were created to work together, laugh and cry together.  We were made to share the pinnacle experiences as well as the heartaches of life.  We were made to enjoy each other in the good times - and be there for each other when life turns sour.

As Tom shared his fond memories of his mom; I couldn’t help but remember some of the lighthearted moments we had shared as we tread the “boards” as thespians.  Our romp through “Our Hearts Were Young and Gay” - the senior class play in which we had the leading roles.  I remembered the time Tom was the new kid in our grade school class and he wanted to kiss me one day on the walk home.  My momma taught me to be weary of such things - so I smacked him with my umbrella.  He became a successful physician and married one of “us girls” and my mom used to tease and say her only mistake raising me was when she told me to smack the lad with an umbrella!

Funny, it wasn’t a funny time - the memorial service.  But it brought back memories of when we were so much younger with all the promise that life holds, in front of us.  Now, here we are in a more ‘chronologically mature’ state memorializing parents and celebrating grandchildrens’ graduations.  Sitting at lunch with family and friends as if no time had ever passed. 

As I walked to my car, it was as if I had walked from a dream into time; space and reality.  For a brief few hours, time stood still as if it had never moved from those days years ago when our hair had not a hint of silver (or we had hair!) and laughter was all one heard from “the girls” and “their guys!”

It was Good!

My encouragement for a sunny weekend in spring is to reconnect with those who were a part of your life eons ago and make a special date - for no specific reason - to share again together.

It will be Good!

Have an awesome weekend with much love & significant connections.

Linda, a fellow journeyer

It’s the last weekend in May and everything (I mean “everything”) you can possibly imagine is happening in a short period of time!  I’m breathless just mentally trying to figure out how to get it all done.

Those of us traveling the 2nd half of the journey tend to think that once the kids are grown (and out of our “hair” so to speak) and it’s just “us” - life will be more tranquil.  WRONG!  I think sometimes it gets even more complicated.  For me, with parents gone and daughter’s having reached a certain point of ‘chrono-maturity’; one would think that I could pack my days with what I need to do to move the passion and purpose forward.  WRONG, again.

Suddenly on this lovely May weekend, I feel utterly sandwiched between obligations to which I wouldn’t dare say “no”.  My mind goes to the 3 important meetings that occur next week over 3 consecutive days and all that must be done to be ready.  Then it flits back to how little time will be available on Saturday and Sunday, with high school awards & graduation & grad party for one of the g’children.  And to top it all off, one son-in-law is leaving the country for the first time for his job - leaving someone to assist with the children while mom works 2 weekend nights.

Whew!  Know how I feel?  Well, now I know how many of you feel!  Does it ever end?  I mean, is there ever a time in life when it gets less hectic?  I suppose as we grow much more ‘chrono-mature’, there will be more lazy days than hectic days.  But then will we long for the days when activities and stress ran off the charts?

I used to think that loads of phone calls in a day or back to back meetings meant I was succeeding at what I was doing.  That too is a myth.  I long for days when I don’t have to step out of the house except to collect the mail and can cuddle in my cozy cubbyhole office and let the rest of the world pass by.  There are times when I toy with the thought of not answering that call.

As I write this piece, it occurs to me that what my Mom used to say is pretty true - “this too shall end!”  She was highly organized and appeared to have it all under control (wrong again of course).  I try to emulate her but that causes more stress.

It is true!  The hectic activity will come to an end as the clock ticks on and what must be done will get done and what doesn’t may not matter.  So what if some of the crumbs fall from an overloaded plate?  As long as the crumbs that fall are not the essential ones!

For those of you reading this who are in the same boat as me for a few days; I suppose I should offer sage advice.  All I can muster is “make that list”; “check it twice” and then work our way through the list.  Prioritize each item so that the most important rise to the top and draw a line through each item as we accomplish it & give ourselves a big checkmark when it’s done.

Oh and one more thing!  As we look at all we’ve done in so little time with little or no crumbs on the floor; celebrate. . . .

Yes, celebrate by having a huge peanut butter passion ice cream sundae with loads of chocolate syrup and a dollop of whipped cream.

To really top it off  - plop a maraschino cherry on top and. . . SAVOR!

Now how awesome is that? 

Linda, a fellow journeyer

Below is the conclusion to yesterday’s entry written by Os Hillman in his daily “TGIF” e-letter.  I thought it worth posting in it’s entirety because it highlights what I believe about coming together in relationship for something other than our own interests.  There is not only ’safety’ in numbers - there is real strength.  There is common purpose that yields more than 1 + 1 = 2!

As you read the remainder of Os’ TGIF entry; think about the times when you’ve engaged with others for a purpose much bigger than the sum of your ‘team’.  Reflect on how it felt for you personally, professionally and spiritually.  Think about the depth of relationship that bonded each of you together.

And then reflect on the relationshps that mean the most to you as you grow more “chronologically mature” and walk the 2nd half of the journey.  Savor them in your mind as you think about what it is that draws you together. 

Referencing the “Clapham Group”, Hillman continues: 

“Lampooned in their day as “the saints”, the group published a journal, the Christian Observer, edited by Zachary Macaulay and were also credited with the foundation of several missionary and tract societies, including the British and Foreign Bible Society and the Church Missionary Society.[1]

Richard Gathro, author of an article on [William] Wilberforce and The Clapham Group states that this circle of friends can best be remembered by these characteristics:

They shared a common commitment to Jesus Christ and a clear sense of calling.

They were committed to lifelong friendship and mutual submission was the norm.

Their advocacy was marked by careful research, planning and strategy.

They worshiped both privately and publicly, gathering twice weekly at the Clapham Church.

Their friendships were inclusive and focused on the essentials. For example, Wilberforce was a Wesleyan and his closest friend, Henry Thornton, was a Calvinist.

They made family life a clear priority and delighted in each other’s marriages and children.

They kept the “long view” on completing projects. Abolition of the slave trade took twenty years!

They made no dichotomy between evangelism and social action. Their magazine, The Christian Observer, exemplifies this.

Their faith was integral to all of life…family, career, friendship and more. It was a faith that the younger generation calls, “24/7.” They talked together of a faith that impacted every part of their lives. There were no “compartments.”

They enabled one another vs. trying to “have it all.”   They recognized each other’s passions and supported one another in addressing them. (Bold mine)

The historian, Sir Reginald Coupland, wrote on the communal strength of the Clapham sect:

It was a remarkable fraternity—remarkable above all else, perhaps, in its closeness, its affinity. It not only lived for the most part in one little village; it had one character, one mind, one way of life. They were mostly rich, living in large roomy houses; but they all were generous givers to the poor. Thornton indeed gave away as much as six-sevenths of his income till he married, and after that at least a third of it. They could mostly have been of leisure; but they all devoted their lives to public service. They were what Wilberforce meant by ‘true Christians.’

The love of God was the very center of the group’s reason for being together and what became their legacy. From this love sprang a group that changed history. May there be many such associations that come to pass in these days as we enter the new millennium.[2]

Why Every Marketplace Leader Should Be Part of a Network

An old saying goes, “There is strength in numbers.  Scripture tells us five will chase 100, but 100 will chase 10,000 (see Lev. 26:8). There is a dynamic multiplication factor in unity of numbers. We are a hundred times more effective when we are a unified group.”

As we head into another weekend, let us be grateful for the relationships and unified groups of which we are a part.

Have an awesome day with much love and continued great relationships!

Linda, a fellow journeyer

I had a wonderful day connecting with old friends and meeting new ones!  Had coffee with an awesome AWI member & got great feedback.

One meeting today was with a woman of ‘our’ vintage.  ‘Chronologically maturing’ and traveling the 2nd half of the journey.  A successful woman who’s weathered a lot in life.  Invariably the conversation turns to “why” focus on the ‘over 40 woman’ as our target market?  I assured that it had little or nothing to do with the ’silvering’ of the boomers and next to nothing to do with the Big “M’.

Conversation turned to how those of us who’ve passed a few milestones in our lives are different or unique from those less chrono-mature.  There’s the obvious of course!  Life and lots of it makes a difference.

We “shed” things along the path!  Like style versus comfort.  Why be all gussied up & uncomfortable when being comfortable makes us a whole lot more authentic.  I remember wearing suits because I had to and constantly tugging at the sleeves making it obvious to all about me that I was darn uncomfortable.

We take off one ‘mask’ after another!  And the more ‘mature’ we become, the less inauthenticity we show to the world.  I love that poem, “The Old Woman” (at least I think that’s what it’s called).  “When I Grow Old, I Will Wear Purple and a Red Hat!”  Yep, who cares if it’s 2 colors that supposedly were never meant to go together?

When I was growing up, my Mother taught me that one never wears white shoes before the end of May (don’t ask me where that ‘rule’ is written down); and you never wear patent leather shoes in summer (or is it winter?).  Now that I’ve given up that ‘conventional wisdom’ - I wonder who thought up such a crazy rule that in the grand scheme of things - means absolutely nothing.

We come to think for ourselves rather than let others define us or decide how and what we should ‘think’!  We learn to laugh at our own foibles and make simple apologies for them with a flourish and comment - “oh blame it on my age!”

These aren’t the only things that set us apart.  There are as many as there are of us.  But these are among the major underpinnings of the uniqueness we take on when we saunder, skip, jump or otherwise tumble onto the road labeled “Season of the 2nd Half”.

It might not hurt us to reflect once in a while upon how different or unique each of us have become in our own right!  It’s good to look back at how we bought into the latest craze or cultural phenomenon.

It’s good for a real belly laugh and that’s good for the ‘chronologically maturing skin!’

Have an awesome evening with loads of real laughter,

Linda, a fellow journeyer

I’m posting the entirety of this piece written by Os Hillman, a leader in market place ministry.  It’s lengthy so I’m dividing it between today and tomorrow’s conversation.  Although it focuses on us as Christians in the marketplace, it is equally true for any person (male or female or both together) who has a passion for making a significant difference in their world (or corner of it).

It doesn’t matter whether we acknowledge that we are the creation of an omnipotent loving Father God or not - He is!  And He did allow us to come into the world for a specific purpose.  And to accomplish that purpose, He endowed us with certain natural abilities and inclinations.  He planted in us a primary motivational gift of the Spirit - and it functions whether we want to recognize, acknowledge or otherwise give credit where credit is due!  Sometimes, we participate in His divine ’scheme’ for our lives regardless - most often we come to it because of some significant spiritual experience that changes us internally and shifts our focus.  Such was the case with William Wilberforce and John Newton.  And all the others that joined them in making a significant difference benefiting many throughout centuries.

I post it because we tend to think that we don’t have a mighty purpose to fulfill - or even a tiny one at that!  And when we do feel that we’re to do something significant - we tend to think we have to do it “all by ourselves”.  Not true!  We are made for relationship and it’s through committed strong relationships that we make things happen.  Things well beyond whatever we could possibly imagine, hope for or dream.

I hope you’ll read this in its entirety and consider how you can be part of a “team” who bring positive change wherever you are at this point in your journey.  And then look for others of like mind who will band together with you.  Not only will you be glad you did - but perhaps so will history.

Reflect & enjoy:

“William  Wilberforce: Why Joining a Network Is Vital  for Every Marketplace Leader

Os Hillman
William Wilberforce (August 24, 1759 – July 29, 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780 and became the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire (1784–1812) and a close friend of Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. In 1785 he underwent a conversion experience and became an evangelical Christian, resulting in changes in his lifestyle and in his interest in reform. He was 28 years old at the time and wondered whether he could stay in politics and remain a follower of Jesus Christ. His good friend John Newton, who was a converted slave trader and author of the famous hymn, Amazing Grace, convinced him to stay in politics to model his faith in the public sector. His life was dramatized in a 2007 movie production from Walden Media entitled Amazing Grace.

In 1787 he came into contact with Thomas Clarkson and a group of anti-slave trade activists, including Granville Sharp, Hannah More and Lord Middleton. They persuaded Wilberforce to take on the cause of abolition; and he soon became one of the leading English abolitionists, heading the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade until the eventual passage of the Slave Trade Act in 1807.

The Clapham Group

Wilberforce was part of a small band of influential leaders in England called the Clapham Group. Its members were chiefly prominent and wealthy evangelical Anglicans who shared common political views concerning the liberation of slaves, the abolition of the slave trade and the reform of the penal system.

The group’s name originates from Clapham, then a village south of London (today part of south-west London), where both Wilberforce and Thornton, the sect’s two most influential leaders, resided and where many of the group’s meetings were held. They were supported by Beilby Porteus, Bishop of London, who sympathized with many of their aims.

After many decades of work both in British society and in Parliament, the group saw their efforts rewarded with the final passage of the Slave Trade Act in 1807, banning the trade throughout the British Empire and, after many further years of campaigning, the total emancipation of British slaves with the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833. They also campaigned vigorously for Britain to use its influence to eradicate slavery throughout the world. It was not a large group. It consisted of less than twenty leaders. However, these leaders were passionate about their faith, their causes and their commitment to them.”

 Tomorrow, I’ll post the remainder of the article.  It’s a piece of history which many of us may not be acquainted with and a statement about the importance of relationships - for whatever the good reason we engage in them.

Have an awesome day!

Linda, a fellow journeyer

Yes, I let the steam rise above boiling and stuck my size 8+ foot in mouth!  I laid my head back and roared like a lion.  (BTW - did you know that roaring lions have no teeth; and since they don’t they must roar to keep danger away).

I went on a tangent (or rant as I’m fond of calling it).  But isn’t that something that us ‘chrono-mature’ women traveling the 2nd half of the journey have in our favor?  Isn’t it totally permissable to speak our minds and let it all hang out.  “Hang out” as long as we’re not verbally destructive and speak the truth no matter how much the truth hurts?

One of the hallmarks of maturity is knowing when to speak the mind and when to keep it to ourselves.  But it’s dangerous to us and to others when we hold back too long.  Because what “goes in” is bound to “come out” in some fashion or another!

If I offended any of you for my remarks about “bloodsuckers”, my apologies.  “Bloodsuckers” is simply a metaphor for folks whose words or behaviors constantly ‘drag us down’ or irritate us to the core’ or simply don’t lift us up!  But even talking about such a metaphor for some of life’s less pleasant moments can be a ‘downer’ - so for being the source of any ‘downer’. . . I’m sorry.

Seriously and without fret or fear.  With my whole being, I want us to be a positive resource for each other.  I want us to “fill each other’s cup” and not “drain us to the dregs”.  I want to hear what works in your life and encourage you to share it with the rest of the ’sisterhood’ that comes here regularly.

So looking at the clock and realizing I’m making vast headway on this day sandwiched between 2 travel days; I want you to know that I’ve recovered somewhat from the earlier ‘rant’ of the day and look forward to tomorrow’s positivity. 

My prayer for each of you is you’ll recover from the ‘rants’ of the day (if there are such things in your life) and find solace in tomorrow’s positive experiences.

Blessings,

Linda, a fellow journeyer

Wow, what a title you might think!  Well it’s the outgrowth of days of being bombarded with ‘negative’ garbage from folks I label as “bloodsuckers!”

Most of us are acquainted with the term “the dreamstealers!”  If you’ve read anything of Bruce Wilkerson or been involved in the direct sales industry, you’ve heard this term.  Those are the folks who say things like - “oh that won’t work” - when you share your dreams and visions with them.  They are an annoyance to say the least.

I’m not talking about that kind of blip on our 2nd half of the journey radar.  I’m talking about folks who literally seek to suck our confidence, courage, creativity and positive mental attitude from us everytime we encounter them!

I’m talking about the folks that never have a positive word to speak to us.  I’m talking about folks who think they’re in charge (when they’re not) and try to bully the ‘anointed leaders’ for whatever reason they think they can or should.  I’m talking about folks who with a glance or tone of a syllable can cut us off at the knees or think they can!  And finally, I’m talking about those who purport to be our friend, colleague, associate, advisor or team member when in reality they’re just waiting for the chance to ’steal’ what we’ve worked hard to build.

Am I angry?  Yes, you better believe it!  The “bloodsuckers” in life can yank our chains until we either explode all over them and ourselves or we say “it’s not worth it!”

I had a simple conversation last evening with a man and we talked about how men and women relate differently to others of the same gender.  It was a lively discussion with much laughter and considerable serious undertones.  He made a startling remark that was, sadly, all too true. 

“Women are more likely to cut each other up while pretending to be your friend or in the name of “total honesty” than men are!”  Whew, I thought.  That’s quite a statement. 

Just as I was about to rebute his remark, I remembered conversations I’ve had with women over the past month that sucked the positive life source right out of me.  I remembered thinking, “does she ever say anything positive?”  I recalled being chastened by an ‘underling’ for making a decision that was mine to make to which she disagreed.

“You’re right in so many ways,” I responded.  What he was pointing out to me was that men don’t let things fester as women may.  Men simply ‘lay it out there’; agree to disagree or part company; and then go on with the business of life.  We women (myself included) tend to let it fester - smile and pretend we love everyone and then cut each other to ribbons either openly or to others.  And we often do it in the name of honesty or some other pious-sounding phrase.

We all do it - from time to time.  We all let the frustration rise to the boiling point and then it spews everywhere. 

I had to step back from the conversation on the drive home and wonder what was happening in the lives of the women who I’d allowed to suck life force from me - that created the situation in the first place.  Is it our need to build ourselves up by taking others down to “size”?  Is it that those who rise to leadership are sitting ‘targets’ for those who have yet to reach the summit?

I don’t have the answer.  I just know that we can lick the wounds made by “bloodsuckers” or we can confront the situation before hurt, anger & frustration reaches the boiling point.  And it certainly makes sense to do so before we’re ready to throw in the towel.

My sincere desire for AWP and AWI women is that we will grow into a community of women who “fill each other’s cups“.  And that we’ll be savvy enough to recognize a “bloodsucker” before he or she has drawn too much from us.

So pay attention as you travel the 2nd half of the journey and when someone with a ravenous tongue; words like fangs or hidden behind a mask meets you on the road. . . . keep on walkin’.

Have an awesome day with much that enriches, encourages & empowers you!

Linda, a fellow journeyer

He stood before us and asked the question, “why?”  It’s something I’ve raised in this chat on more than one occasion.  “Why!”  Why do we do what we do?  Why is it important to us?  Why do we feel we need to continue to do it regardless of what else happens in our lives?

C.J. was the speaker for the networking group I belong to in the city.  I couldn’t have asked for a better commercial for AWP and, especially, Affiliated Women!  Because his young friend with a young family is dying of a brain tumor, C.J. focused on what it is that is ultimately important to us.  He asked several of his audience “why” they are in business.  “What” do they want to achieve. 

Always, the answer came down to “make more money.”  When asked “WHY” “more money” - only one could give an answer and it related to achieving a certain lifestyle.

I won’t belabor his point, but he was emphatic that when faced with LIFE - nothing else matters but relationships.  Relationships with those most significant in our lives - family, friends, close business associates that are more personal friends than business associates.

Then he did something amazing!  “If you don’t have personal relationships with your employees or those with whom you are likely to do business, you won’t be successful or achieve the goals you want for yourself and your business!”  Then he encouraged us to go to at least one other person at the event and begin a personal relationship with that person.

And he said it all comes down to our “WHY!”

Now this is something I’ve come to know!  And most of you probably know it as well.  That when we form strong, bonded relationships with others (forgetting the “sales talk”), our business grows and we will see profitability!  We will achieve the very thing we’ve said we are in business for. 

And when the chips are down in life and our very lives may be on the line - what will sustain us is those personal relationships we’ve formed over the years!  Not the money we have in the bank - or the recognition we’ve received - or the level of success we feel we’ve achieved.

C.J. received a standing ovation of “shameless applause!”  Most of us knew exactly what he was talking about.  He’s on the cutting edge as we are with AWP and Affiliated Women.  He knows what matters in life and hopefully most of those in attendance discovered it or at least had it resoundingly confirmed.

As I was leaving the event, I encountered a woman who attended our last Greater Indianapolis Affiliated Women’s development meeting.  I remarked that C.J. had just given the greatest commercial for AWI(tm).  And she nodded affirmatively.  He had just taken what we know; have experienced in our lives and wrapped it in a neat 10 minute package!

One of the facets of the 2nd half of the journey is, I think, the fact that we realize it isn’t about “sales” (yes they’re important, but not always critical).  It isn’t about how many “leads” we get at a leads meeting or how many business cards we collect at a social networking event.  It isn’t even about how well we perfect our “elevator” speech!

It’s about the relationships we form; the quality of those relationships; the transparency that occurs between us in relationship; the honesty we share with each other and the integrity that grows between us.  When we are patient with that process; we will see success we never thought possible.

Ask yourself “why” and be honest with yourself when you answer.  For it is in your “why” that you’ll find your passion; your purpose and a great deal about how you pursue the vision, mission and goals you have for yourself and your business or professional career.

A piece of encouragement for the day!  Go out and find someone you like and would like to know better.  When you connect with them; begin a personal relationship.  And for starters, you might ask him or her “why” and then be willing to answer the same question for yourself in your new friend’s presence.

Have an awesome day!

Linda, a fellow journeyer

Being photogenic is not exactly one of my known qualities.  This seems to be a very “shared” subject of commiseration among many women.

For some unbeknownst reason, cameras do not capture the real “beauty” within-just the physical remains.  This column is not for those of you who have a love affair going with the front of either a film or digital camera.  It’s for those of us who never seem to look, well, good.

What brought this subject up?  Recently I uploaded (off on a tangent here, but I have to point out that I did this feat all by myself without any help) a new picture of myself, taken by my ever-lovin’ husband.  It was for several sites that I  am an active participant in their forums.  Many kind ladies wrote to me saying “Wow, you look so glamorous, you are gorgeous!”
 
It was/is indeed a very good picture.  There I am in my favorite dress-a black version of the one Marilyn Monroe wore in “The 7 Year Itch”-you know the one, it was white and the air from the street’s grids blew it up.  You can’t see it, but I wasn’t even wearing my usual trademark pair of orthopedic walking shoes.  And, unlike 90% of my hubby’s people pictures, my entire head was actually included. It was from our first formal night from our recent anniversary cruise.

Indeed-an incredibly rare shot.

I thanked everyone who took the time to comment and mentioned about my usual lack of looking decent in pictures.  Most wrote again to say “Hey, me too!” 
My reply-“I think we are all fabulous and wonderful looking, it’s the cameras that just can’t see what’s inside-just the shell!”

Many agreed this was the perfect subject to write about-so here it is!

How many of you hate having a picture taken of yourself?  I can’t see you, but I have a feeling there are a whole lot of double arms being waved around right now.

When I see a photo of myself I cringe.  That image just can’t be me-I don’t look like that!  I do not have slitting eyes.  My head is not too small for my body. My face isn’t that narrow.  And why is it I look like my mom?

Now don’t get me wrong-my mom is a good-looking woman and very youthful. In fact-she still has more black hair than gray.  And no, she’s never touched or used a bottle of hair dye in her life!  Another thing- my mom gets to wear cute high heels.

Plus, I never look statuesque.  If the stupid camera puts 10 pounds on you-shouldn’t it also even you out by making you look taller????  Seems to me I still look 5’1”.  Piffle.

Most women always complain about looking too old or too fat.  Men, it seems, say their build is a lot more muscular and their hair a lot thicker than what is evident to the naked eye.

This is probably the reason I took up photography of the journalistic nature in college.  I figured if I was always holding a Minolta-no one would dare expect me to pose and say “cheese”.

Here’s a bit of information-I hate having pictures taken so much that there is not one single shot of me being pregnant-ever.  I think I almost managed to miss having any photos done when I was in my early to mid-30’s.  Seriously. 

Our family is rather a 50/50 bunch.  My sister, husband, daughter and niece always look great.   My son, nephews and me-stinko.  Of course, my grandchildren are the best looking boys anyone has ever seen, but give them time-I’m sure they’ll look different in their photos in about 15 years.

Much love, 

Carine,  fellow journeyer

www.Carine-whatscooking.blogspot.com

I’m not saying much here because Carine has a neat post to follow and I don’t want to steal her thunder.  What I really want to do is acknowledge how women ‘hang together’ from the time we’re tots to more & more chronolgically mature!  And I want to celebrate that fact.  I think it’s absolutely the ‘berries’ that women form strong relationships that for some - last a lifetime.  And it’s good; yes, very good!

Last week, I had a long leisurely lunch with a woman with whom I shared years before high school.  After our freshman year, she went to boarding school.  But every holiday she returned to her circle of friends at ‘home’.   Over the years, as life put it’s ‘mark’ on us all - we stayed in touch.  Not often, but time did not equal distance in this case.  The same is true for an entire group of us who traveled the hallowed halls of CHS so many years ago.  We still gather once in a while over breakfast or lunch to catch up with the latest in each other’s lives and to laugh at the memories from our ‘teenage’ days.

They are special relationships - born out of youth and settled upon the foundation of familiarity and a common ‘heritage’.  No most of us don’t do business with each other because only a handful (or less) of us are in business.  But we do check up on each other once in a while and are eager to help when help is needed.

So ‘hangin’ together is a good thing!  It’s something women do well, especially when trust has been established years ago and never been bent or broken. 

My encouragement for the day is to keep on ‘hangin’ together - for whatever the reason.  It’ll keep you young in heart and lighten the load of the day!

Have an awesome day,

Linda, a fellow journeyer