Strong women

I have a hard time slowing down and shutting my brain off.  It hasn’t always been this way, but it seems to be getting worse as my life gets more complicated.  So, this past weekend, after six months of planning, I left all the responsibilities behind and headed to California wine country with nine other moms.  Left at home were 10 husbands, 26 children (plus one on the way) and 14 dogs.  That’s a lot of responsibility. 

We’ve agreed that what happens in Sonoma, stays in Sonoma, so I’m going to leave out LOTS of juicy stories from the trip.  But, what I CAN tell you are that in that group of 10 different personalities, upbringings, religious preferences, political opinions, and fashion selections, are true, honest women who shared their hearts.  Women who have complex layers within each of them.  Layers who have made them the amazing women that they are.   These friends from my trip are all strong and proud and, because of that, they are raising tremendous children.  And that’s pretty special. 

I like strong women.  Women who know what they believe and are willing to speak their minds carry a lot of weight with me.  It takes courage to speak up and say what you think and to not just go along with the crowd.   I may not always agree with their points of view or the way they handle specific situations, but the differences we have are always put aside when we are working toward something together. 

So, to my C.O.S. friends…thank you for reminding me that we all have complex layers that have made us the women we are today and that being strong in your beliefs is a good thing.

And to Superwoman who is the strongest of them all…keep being strong! 

You make me smile.