Hi and welcome to my blog. I really think parents need to lighten up; I mean, if parenting was meant to be a serious endeavor they'd offer classes! Oh, wait....
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Thursday, April 7, 2011

Therapy and Other Guilty Pleasures

           Last night was Girls Night.  I didn't go.  (sigh)  I miss my girls.  Wednesday evenings with my friends have become one of my most important guilty pleasures.  Wednesday evenings keep me sane because for a few short hours I'm not "the Mommy".  For a few short hours I am allowed to don another persona, one that made a disappearance about five years ago, that of a confidant, counselor, comedian--that of a friend.  Wednesday's allow me to re-connect with other women in like circumstances. Wednesday's remind me that there is life beyond kids.  Wednesday's recharge me and allow me to be a better Wife and Mommy. 
           (sigh) Next week, ladies!  For sure!

             The bubbling laughter and the clinking of glasses and cutlery only enhances the intimacy shared between women whose separate journeys have brought them together, to this shared experience called Girls’ Night Out.  I have a standing date.  Every Wednesday evening a half dozen (or more) of the finest women I’ve ever known, gather at a restaurant or in someone’s home for a shared meal and some shared conversation. 
            GNO is sometimes about therapy.  We cry and complain about the things we can’t change.  We get ideas about how to fix the things we can, and we help each other learn the difference between the two.  Sometimes there isn’t enough Kleenex, double fudge brownies, or wine on the planet.  What am I saying?  There’s never enough wine!
            And sometimes GNO is about laughter!  It’s about learning to laugh at yourself and with your peers without fear of judgment or ridicule.  Those are the best nights!  These women know when you are taking yourself or life too seriously and when you need to laugh, in order to ward off the tears.  We laugh about everything; sex, love, money, kids.  It strikes me, just now that those are the same topics we cry about.
            I have a confession.  GNO is a relatively new phenomenon for me.  I’ve never been the kind of woman whose company other women have sought.  And frankly I’d never sought the company of other women.  I had always found women to be simpering and flighty.  They’re whining annoyed me, and their cattiness appalled me.  Unfortunately the women of whom I based that opinion were all high school girls.  But that opinion lasted well into my 20s.  In fact, I now realize I’ve gone most of my life without any lasting female friendships.  It’s a real waste and a shame. 
            Women--real women aren’t like those high school phonies.  Real women are warm and supportive; understanding and compassionate.  And true friendships can last through marriage and children.  They can, and should last through hardship and strife.  Real friends can see through the worst in you, revel in the best of you; they are the mirror by which we should judge ourselves!

             A big thank you to my girlfriends!  I don't know how I would have gotten through the past decade without you.  Yes it's been a DECADE!  (We won't mention how old that makes us.)  Lots of love to you all!
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