Girlfriends

Last April I reluctantly went on a "ladies retreat" with my church.   I only knew two of the women going, one was the planner, another a speaker so I bit the bullet and agreed to go and be in charge of "snacks" (they knew who to ask for good snackage).    I shopped, I prepared, I organized for dietary restrictions, I had healthy food, I had crappy food, I had lots and lots of coffee.   I went early to the retreat center and set up my feast for the belly.    I was way, way, way out of my comfort zone but was encouraged by someone to go and meet new people.  Ugh, new people is one of my fears but new women....yikes, that's one of my biggest fears.  I have never been happier with going out of my comfort zone, what I gained that weekend has changed my life.

Women intimidate me, scare the crap out if me actually.  I don't know what it is, as I've said before, it's hard for me to make female friends.   One of the women I've tried to befriend over the past year has blatantly ignored my request for a coffee date, yet asked the guy I was standing with to go out to coffee sometime, right in front of me!!!!  Talk about rude!!!   I felt like I had been punched in the stomach, I was hurt and hurt more when he, knowing what she had done, accepted.  But, her loss and my gain of seeing what kind of person she really is.  This is typical of women, or at least my typical experience, until now.

The women I met at the retreat have become my rock.   There are 8 women whom I have called, texted, cried with and leaned on in the past 2 months that I didn't have before.   2 of these women have come to my house when they have heard the sorrow in my voice and talked with me, held my hand and prayed for me.   Last night and tonight, I have had the honor of having dinner or drinks with 2 of my dearest ones.   I couldn't have made it through this time without them, without their strength, wisdom and encouragement.

 I am so grateful to have friends who live close, something I haven't had in a long while.   Two of my best friends live in Illinois and Iowa, they are only a phone call away yet having someone to hug me as I cried this week has helped give me the courage to be strong.    My friend told me this week that we women need each other, we have a bond that helps heal.  She is so right.   I thank God for my girlfriends, He knew I would need them right now more than ever.