GIRLS! You know how some sayings or phrases just kinda hit ya like a punch in the gut. Or like nails on a chalkboard? This is one of those for me... We all know people who say or post things to the effect of "I only hang out with Boys because Girls are too much drama." Ummm... Exsqueeze Me? Baking Powder? Back. That. Truck. Up. This makes me cringe & breaks my heart all at the same time.
Now this is not a Man Hating article. My love for the opposite sex is deep & true. I live with a penis bearing, testosterone filled army. 3/4 of which I created my self. I love so many things about the Male Species, but that is for another Blog.
As a Female, there is no greater team you can have by your side than the women that surround you. These are your teachers, your therapists, your life partners, your soul mates. Most of us have girlfriends that have been by our side longer than the men in our lives.
I have been so blessed to be raised & surrounded by some of the strongest most amazing women in the world. No bullshit women who tell it like it is & don't sugar coat. Their hearts are huge & they are brutally honest at the same time.
My Maternal Grandmother lived to 99 years old, spend the majority of those 99 years on her own gardening, canning, & doing yard work. She took pride in her independence.
My Mother, a Fighter & Survivor, can do anything from cooking, to gardening, to building, to construction, to art, to sewing, canning, to butchering... Her survival skills are fierce. I have no doubt she will survive any kind of apocalypse. Her love for her family is matched only by her feisty spirit.
My Sister is a pillar of strength & grace. She has stood toe to toe with Satan himself & came out victorious. She stood with her son as he battled cancer. She would fast when he couldn't eat with treatments. That would sometimes mean weeks without food. She spent countless nights in a hospital putting her childs life in the hands of God & his Doctors never once losing faith. Never once doubting the power His will. She faces every issue with you have 5 minutes to breakdown, then you get moving on the solution.
All of my Aunts Maternal & Paternal are a force to be reckoned with with. Most are wives with loving Husbands, but not one of them as ever needed a man to survive. They all have the capability to do it on their own. My Paternal Aunts have shown this amazing confidence. To genuinely have no concern for what others think of you. To live your life your way. To sing at the top of your lungs & dance as if nobody is watching. To face what life hands you with a smile because there is always joy to be found. My Maternal Aunts have shown to work hard & take pride in it. They never half ass anything. They do it all & make it look easy.
My Cousins. My Ride or Die Bitches. They are my biggest support. They have my back. Together we can stand against anything. They share in my joy with every success & they will always hold me as I cry with my failures & heartbreaks. They also tell me straight up if I'm being a jackass. It's a balance & they do it perfectly.
The Friends I've had for 1 year, to 40 years, & every stage in between. They have overcome abusive childhoods, abusive relationships, losing a Husband to death or prison, even their own felonies. They have worked 3 jobs to provide for their kids. They have gone to college & gotten their degrees in their 30's, while working nights & taking care of their kids during the day. They have taken care of their dying parents & friends. They have taken care of a friends family when they've passed away. They've lost children & committed their lives to loving every child that knows them as if they are their own. They have given the coat off their back to someone in need. They raise money for organizations that they believe in. They will drop whatever they are doing in a heartbeat if you need them. They will pick your kids up from school or bring you meals when you've had a baby. They will listen without judgement. They will cheer you on. They will cry with you. They feel you pain & joy as if it's their own. They will tell you when your kid is being an asshole while sharing that they understand because theirs can be too.
Every single one of the women in my life are honest. None of them mince words. They all love fiercely & unconditionally.
It breaks my heart when women say "I only hang out with Men" because they are missing out on all of this. There is nothing special about me to have these kinds of women around me. Look at the women who surround you. Think about their stories. Think about what they've all been through. Don't deny yourself the power of having a "Girl Team" because you've encountered a few Mean Girls. By all means say Goodbye to the ones who don't bring your soul joy, but be sure to hold on tight to the ones that do. You need them more than you know.
Blessings!
Mandy
