Find your people sounds a bit confusing, doesn’t it? I mean, are they lost? What people am I talking about? I have people!
Many years ago (31 to be exact) I met a group of ladies at the church I attended. We decided we needed to get to know each other better so we planned a spring mother-daughter weekend camping trip. After dealing with eight ladies and six teenagers, we decided the next outing would be without the daughters! That fall we planned a “ladies only” trip and our friendship was cemented.
Now 30+ years later, the BRATS (Beautiful Radiant Angel Team) are still together. We graduated from two or three times a year to monthly gatherings. Chat nights, slumber parties, dinner parties, day trips, all-family picnics, and fun “experiences” like Axe Throwing, Escape Rooms, Tea Parties and so much more has dotted our calendars and brought unbelievable laughter and fun. There are eight of us and we remain the same eight, laughingly “until death do us part.” They are my people, my tribe, my prayer partners, my friends for life.
In the last 30 years we have watched our kids grow up, graduate, get married, have babies and sadly, one of the BRATS buried her husband a couple of years ago. We have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and vacationed together with husbands. Every year we make at least one long weekend of fun, just the BRATS. The first weekend in November is locked in as our weekend, nothing to interfere. November 2022 was the 31st BRAT weekend.
There is no way to explain the relationship or the value that it brings to anyone outside of our group. My life is so much richer because of these friends.
But I have learned that finding other people with whom to connect is just as important. My ladies Sunday School class, Bible study group, Lake Ladies (former neighbors), and of course sisters, nieces, and daughters. Moving across the country has provided new contacts, new groups, new friends.
Maybe I feel the importance because women need women. We need that thread that connects us, providing insight, wisdom, laughter and understanding that only another woman can provide. My husband is undoubtedly my soul mate, my very best friend. But, my ladies, well, they are MY ladies. I can’t imagine doing life without them.
When we moved last year, my BRATS gave me a wire sculpture with eight leaves on it, representing our group, and a card that said, “We are together until the last leaf falls.” That is what life is all about.
My wish is that everyone can Find Your People. Life is so much better because of the wonderful gift of friendship.
Pat's Wit and Wisdom 