Well except for guest appearances here and there...this is the end of filling in as a columnist.
Yes, Jennifer is back and you will be back in the safe reading zone next week. I thought I would try and write something a little lighter for your enjoyment.
When I owned Curves, the women reminded me daily of a column that I could write and entertain people with if given the opportunity. You develop a closeness with these women and you hear everything from messed up relationships to snoring husbands to how to cook and how to plant a garden. The variety of wisdom amongst a wide age range of women is phenomenal. These women became my close friends, sisters, mothers, grandmothers and yes, even daughters. I miss the input and fulfillment these many women had in my life.
You also became aware of the special bond that came with constant interaction with other women. These women supported me through divorce, the passing of my mother, my kids finishing school and leaving home (while I'm still waiting for two of the three to leave), turning 39 "ish" right through to my tomatoes and cucumbers not growing. I hope in some way the wisdom and more so the support I picked up from these great ladies was returned to them in some small way. Whether it was a tidbit of my "youthful" (stop laughing Carlee and Keyla) wisdom or to just lend an ear to whatever they wanted to talk about during their time exercising, I was privileged. These women forever touched me in some way. I can run into them in the grocery store, at church, on the golf course or at the library and can still converse in some way, however short or long our time allows.
Now I could go off on a tangent about gossip and how people "assume" things but that would just ruin a good column and most of the people who partake in this don't get it anyway, so I will button it FOR NOW! I would however, like to acknowledge some of my mentors who were part of my life if not every day, every second day for five years and reinforced in me that there are still good people out there. Thank you Jean, Maureen, Judy, Sue, Elsie, Alma, Joan(s), Kelly, Julie, Tammy, Donna, Shari, Kathy, Faye, Myrna, Evelyn, Colleen, Sharon, Hilda, Mary, Rita and others for enriching my life. A special thanks to Margaret who eased the pain of losing my mother by acknowledging my birthday and Christmas with special "Mom" treats during those first couple of years. She allowed me to realize there are truly angels on earth.
Another lesson I learned in those "tough" years was how important it is to have TRUE friends. No, not flakey, fly-by-night people who enter your life, hang around you, yap ABOUT you and then move on. I introduced my "box" theory when I hit the big ?? in my life. You women know what number I'm talking about and also know what my theory is if you know me at all. Having 500 and some "friends" on facebook does not make one true friend....oops there is another column (don't get me going on that). We all have acquaintances and I believe those people have a place in our life whether they are old school mates or co-workers or people from church. But I also believe it is important in one's life to have a true friend. I am lucky enough to have a couple of those in my life. I can tell them anything and they will not judge me. Don't get me wrong. They will tell me what they think, but I don't have to worry about it going any farther than them (or their spouses whom I also respect). They are also there whenever I need them yet they don't have to know where I am every minute of the day. I may not see or talk to them for a week or even a month and yet when we do, we haven't missed a beat. They don't have to agree with everything I say (and vice versa) and we can discuss things, good or bad, and still come out the better for it. Like they say, live for today and make the best of every single day God has given us. Thank you Penny and Pam (Lyman and Paul) for always being there for me and as my "other half" John would say, "it is what it is." Great advice but it's also up to us to make the "it" the best it can be.
Pet-peeve of the week. Well, staying on the "it is what it is" theme, my pet peeve is rude, crabby cashiers/wait staff. Whether in a restaurant, grocery store, bar or department store. Listen, if you don't want to be there or you hate your job, MOVE ON. Only you can do something for yourself but don't make it miserable for the rest of us who are paying your wages . That's just me...let me know what you think! P.S. If you want me to explain my "box" theory, I would be more than happy to.
