i’ll take that one

I have always known my life would improve with age and it has.  I have also known that I would be forever surrounded by earthly angels, design mavericks, fashion icons, artist beyond compare and the written word and I am— Kate Granado

This is my maiden voyage.  This is my step onto the tight rope with no net.  This is my first post for Platinum Boomer and I would like to dedicate this post to my girlfriends.  No offence husband, you are my dream guy who dances with me in the moonlight and cheers me on every day.  But there is just something to be said about the women in my life.

I have always referred to them as the Goddesses, some may chuckle at the concept, but not all those that drop by my life are invited into the Goddess circle.  And like the title of this post says ‘I’ll take that one’ – they have all been handpicked.  Not by me, but by the hand of fate.

It never ceases to amaze me the caliber of the women in my life.  They are vastly different from one another and each possesses a uniqueness that sets them apart from the norm.  They are entrepreneurs, they have edited top woman’s magazines, built buildings, styled the stars, turned white canvas into exotic flowers, advised the advisers, and birthed and raised babies to be doctors and explorers.  And when we are gathered together I can clearly see how each friend has made a major contribution to the person I am today and I am so grateful for their presence in my life.

A few years ago a friend hosted a birthday luncheon in her home for me.  There were perhaps 6 of us and I had decided to write a short note about each friend and their personal impact in my life.  What an epiphany.  The notes became letters. The chance encounters of our meetings became novel-like in the storytelling. My admiration for them became emulating; the greatness in them became part of me.  What an internal journey it is to witness and acknowledge the seeds our friends have planted in our interior landscapes.  It was a cathartic experience for me!

Periodically throughout the lunch, I read aloud the letters to each friend.  At times it was hard for me to hold back the tears, especially when I saw their tears.  But it was not all tears, we laughed out loud, remembering forgotten moments of men, bad hair and style days and wrong and right turns in our careers.  It was not only a chronicle of our friendship but a loving experience for me.  And as one friend said, “it’s your birthday and you have given us the gifts”.

If you have these same fabulous Goddesses in your life take the time to let them know how they have helped to shape the landscape of who you are today.  Send them a note.  For me, it was a spiritual thank you card to the girls.