Live From Mommyville

Hope at the bottom of a Cherry Coke...

I went to the movies with a couple of friends last night. For the record, it was the latest incarnation of Jane Eyre (loved it). As I sat with my friends I felt myself relax for the first time that day. With popcorn on my lap and a cherry coke in my hand, I was happy to unwind and watch one of my favorite literary hotties (Mr. Rochester).

The movie notwithstanding, the ride back was the best part of the evening. It was like therapy on wheels. As we neared home and my coke was almost gone, I was struck by the resilient power of women. We are such emotional creatures, we put our whole heart in just about everything we do. Unfortunately that makes the stakes that much higher for us. Currently, a lot of significant women in my life are experiencing some harrowing trials. Financial challenges, health issues, marital pains, consequences of others decisions, sorrow over children's choices, stress at work...the list seems endless. But when I think of these amazing women individually or collectively I marvel at their ability to keep moving forward while helping others around them.

At the end of the evening, none of us had resolved a thing. In fact one friend faced a corporate firing squad this morning. But I felt good, hopeful and I went to bed thankful for the friends, aunts, sisters, daughters, nieces and of course mothers (mine especially), who encourage me even as they face challenges of their own.