Most people who know me well know that I count my girl-friendships as some of my grandest treasures in life. I've been extremely blessed by the tremendous friends life has led me to throughout the years. I've been equally fortunate to find female role-models.
I once did an exercise where I was asked to list the five women I admire most. Like many others, I listed celebs and historical figures: Oprah, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Theresa, etc. And I do admire those women. But today I've been thinking about women who have had a more personal impact on my life. I'm going to take advantage of my blog to share some of my appreciation for them!
As you've probably heard me say at least a million times, my Aunt Nancy is one of the greatest people I know. She's more like a big sister than an aunt in many ways. When Mom died, Nancy (and her sweet husband Jack) were there for my sister and me 1000%. We really couldn't have made it through all the stuff without her.Nancy inspires me. She has an easy grace about her that puts everyone at ease. She makes things look effortless - things like entertaining, exercising, and looking fantastic. My sister and I joke that Nancy must have either gotten our share of these genes or that she was switched at the hospital. Whatever the answer, I consider myself very fortunate to have my Aunt Nancy.
Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold was my professor and academic advisor while I was working on my undergraduate degree at Rowan University. She made learning challenging AND enjoyable (not always two things that come together in college level courses). One of the things I appreciate about Lorin is that she always supported and encouraged me as a student and as a person. In my gazillion years as a student, Lorin was my most influential professor!
In addition to being a busy professor, Lorin is a wife & a mother of six children. She is also a vegetarian (or perhaps she's a vegan now...not sure) who makes time for things she loves - like yoga and crocheting. I have begged her to tell me how she manages all of these things in a mere 24-hour day but since I'm getting no answer, I suspect it's magic! I once asked about her decision to shave her head and she responded that with six kids she didn't want to waste time maintaining a hair-style dictated by society!
Nancy and Lorin are just a couple of the women I consider role-models. I have many, many more.
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So to all of you special ladies - the friends who have brought great joy into my life, who bring me laughter and new ideas and a sense of my own history - I say many thanks!
I hope that each of you can look around and see the greatness that other women bring to your own lives. And that you will celebrate Women's History Month, because each terrific woman you encounter adds a layer to your own history!
And one final wish... if you haven't yet read The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton, I hope you'll find time to do that this month! It is a delightful story that celebrates the special bond of women's friendship!
