My Magnolias

Nine women that I graduated high school with and I recently enjoyed a weekend getaway. What fun! I've seen these women on occasion in the 17 years since we graduated. And those visits have been great. But an all-girls weekend translates into no husbands, children, laundry, baby puke, fights over the same toy, blah, blah, blah. And in the absence of family responsibilities and straight up stress, we were allowed to be the girls we were so long ago.

The crew included (I've changed the names to protect the innocent .... but you know who you are!):

• Bran - the wise-beyond-her-years caregiver and defacto leader;
• Cookie - the smartest, most intelligent class clown you'll ever meet;
• Ouiser - the wise-cracking sass pot with a heart of gold;
• Puss - everyone's best friend;
• Preggos -the breath-takingly beautiful artist who is pregnant and ready to pop;
• Yvonne - the tall, shy, sweet girl who would rather be behind the camera;
• Shantell - the athlete;
• Jillian - the working mother who can and does do it all with a smile (including a half-marathon);
• Bunn - the creative and talented jokester with the BEST laugh EVER;
• Momma (me) - still a cheerleader at heart with lots of enthusiasm that ultimately gets on people's nerves (I'm working on it).

To say that I love these women would be a gross understatement. I know these women. And they know me. They are as much of a part of me than any other character-shaping influence. This group is my "Steel Magnolias." We've celebrated each other's achievements, grieved for our losses, encouraged, listened, talked and talked and talked, cried, laughed, been pissed, supportive and kind.

There have been major life changes for all of us. The most joyous being marriage and children for some. Travel and adventure for others. The most tragic being deaths of parents. Not all of us grieved together physically in each other's presence. That's unfortunate. Or celebrated together. But the heart is a funny thing. It transcends distance. So even when one of us wasn't there, joy for happy occassions or hurt for the grieving remained. And the next time we were together it was as if we picked up where we left off. Guess the heart transcends time as well. And grace among friends is a priceless gift.

I fully intend to revisit all the antics that took place over the weekend. But for now, I choose to reflect and rest in the love I have for these special women ... my magnolias.