A Love Letter to My Girlfriends

Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends.~Virginia Woolf

To my dear girlfriends,

Hello from Italy! I hope this letter finds you happy, and doing exactly what you love. A few days ago, one of you was having a very difficult day. We were emailing back and forth with another friend, and I realized there was nothing I could do, except listen and let you know I loved you. It inspired me to write a letter of thanks to all of the women that make my life a more wonderful place.

So…

Dear Cheryl, Carolanne, Denise, Casi, Michelle, Shari, Theresa, Marci, Carla, Lolo, Jackie, Sharon, Rebecca, Bobbie, Andrea, Gayle, Kathy, Ann, Leslie, Jamie, Jamie, Linda, Renee, Jennifer, Carrie, Pamela, Candace, Joan, Gwenn, Laurie, Cathy, Krista, Kim and Micha:

Thank you so very much! My life would not have its fantastic texture and richness without you in it. Some of you have been in my life from the beginning, some are friends from school, a few from raising children together, many from the professional world, others by pure good fortune; but each of you have had a profound impact on my life.

Thank you for being there to share the joy, and the sad. Thank you for working in a man’s world with me. Thank you for being my partner in crime. Thank you for keeping me grounded. Thank you for encouraging me to fly. Thank you for holding my hand when I was afraid. Thank you for telling me things that no one else would. Thank you for making it feel like only yesterday we chatted, even if it was two months, or two years ago. Thank you for sharing tequila shots, shoe shopping, trips abroad, New Years Eves, Millipede, haircuts, cigars and so much laughter with me. Thank you for being there during layoffs, teenage angst, breakups, an empty nest, heartaches, and divorce.

You’ve laughed with me, cried with me, prayed with me and for me. You’ve written boyfriend’s names in the sand with me. One of you shares my birthday. You’ve gone to NYC, Monte Carlo, the Bahamas, Mardi Gras, Paris, Rome and Mexico with me. One of you is married to my wonderful son. You took me to my first concert. You’ve shared tennis courts and golf carts with me. You’ve sat on hotel balconies with me, helping me decide how to face a difficult decision. You decided what my first grandchild would call me. You brought me a blanket when my mother died. You’ve listened. You’ve given advice. You’ve been silent.

Just as importantly, thank you for trusting me enough to be your friend, and for letting me in to your life. Thank you for sharing your joys and sorrows with me. Thank you for all you’ve taught me, including how to let others in. Thank you for inviting me to your family celebrations. Thank you for asking me to be in your wedding. Thank you for introducing me to all your new boyfriends, and asking for my opinion. Thank you for letting me be the first friend to hold your new baby. Thank you for being imperfect, and vulnerable. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to me.

My promise to you is that you can always count on me. I will listen when you need it, give advice when you want it and bring a bottle of champagne when that is what is required. I wish you each a life of love, health and happiness, and enough wealth to make you comfortable.

Thank you for making my charmed life so much more charming!

Flickr credit~freeparking