A good outlet

Let's face it. Being a mom is hard. Harder than I ever thought it would be. Pull out your hair- wanting to crawl into a deep abyss forever-losing your sanity hard. However, in all fairness, it's completely wonderful at the same time. Children practically smother you with love. They are caring and generous and thoughtful. Yet, in spite of all of this love, sometimes it's just good to get away. To get out and feel like and adult. To talk to other people about other things than bath time and the monthly budget.

Lots of the time, my sisters and cousins fill this need for me. The need to go clothes shopping without having to watch your toddler scramble under each clothing rack. The need to smell all sorts of yummy perfumes. The need to talk about books, and sheets, and trips, and kitchen gadgets.

Many other times, girl friends I have been blessed to get know give me the opportunity to play games, see the "chick-flick" movies, talk talk talk to my hearts content, and give me a sense of solidarity. That I am not alone in this world of women and mothers.

This is also completely wonderful.

My friend posted this picture on Facebook a few days ago and most of us reveled in it. I think it was taken about a year and a half ago. I was so glad she decided to share this moment of female bonding with us. I always forget to take my camera. Shocking, but it's true. Since my family thinks my camera is attached to my body.

The picture contains so many of the faces I rarely see anymore. This is due to lots of moves, new schedules, and just life happening. It's the way it works and is a beautiful thing. There are so many wonderful people that roam in and out of our lives to share little bits that they have learned and then wander out leaving us with a sense of nostalgia and remembrance.
If I was to take a picture today of my good friends, it would hold lots of new, beautiful faces that I can't wait to see.

I challenge all of you to somehow record all of the friends/family in your lives who give you a place to rest your cares, or a good joke to laugh about. Who brighten your days with their service and personality. Reflect on how good it feels to feel that others care about you. Then go and make a new friend. Invite someone new to your activity. Reach out and pass it forward. It feels so great. Because chances are, there are other mothers/girls/whoever that need a good outlet too. And all they need is the knowledge that they are wanted somewhere.