As I write this last blog for the month of February on the topic of “Love for Yourself and Others,” I thought I would close it with a story about a 40-year friendship between a group of girlfriends.
We all met forty years ago when we worked together at a law firm as young brides and mothers.
One day, when clearly, we were more exhausted than usual, we planned a girls’ long weekend getaway. The lure of a few days away from our responsibilities as 25-year-old brides and mothers – called out to us.
A weekend of self-care before self-care was a thing.
Forty years later we are still escaping once a year for a long weekend to get away from our responsibilities – but now as 65-year-old grandmothers.
In the early days we would go camping in the Everglades, sleep 10 to a room on bunk beds and take a shower – or not – with well water.
Today, we have “luxed it up.” We stay at the beautiful home in the Florida Keys of one of our girlfriends, sleep on comfortable beds and shower no less than twice a day.
Life has changed us – for the better.
We are now mature and wiser.
We don’t get overwhelmed easily.
We know how to laugh, cry, toast and dance.
We have lived together through cancer, major surgeries, divorces, and losses.
We have also lived through second marriages, raising children, and then seeing them off to live their own lives.
But, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
We share stories, we share advice, we share meals, we catch up.
Some of us see less of each other throughout the year.
But, as the seasons come and go, we continue reaching for each other this one time of year to lift each other up. And, get our fill of Girl Love to sustain us throughout the year, until we see each other again – and to do it all over.
I have a family life I enjoy to the fullest. Yet, I also enjoy the time I spend with all my girlfriends. I make sure to make time for brunches, lunches, dinners and getaways. They light me up. This is my self-care.
What things do you make time for that light you up?
Quote for the Week
“To live a full, happy and healthy life is to live life not in deprivation but in joy.”
Emy Fernandez, MBA, Certified Life Coach
