Smithies

Sitting at the Oakland Airport, waiting for my flight to Los Angeles – the sun is slowly setting, the light is beautiful.   These last few days in San Francisco have been filled with friends and laughter – a perfect remedy, a blessing, exactly what any woman might need to give her soul and heart a boost.  I am stunned once again at the power and importance of friendship, especially female friendships.  I spent Saturday evening surrounded by Smithies – women I met close to 10 years ago when I went to college and most of whom I hadn’t seen since.  Yet, so many years later, the bond is still present and still strong.  There must be something about Smithies…I wish I could describe it.  As I looked around the table I was stunned by these women’s beauty – not just physical beauty, but a “soulful” beauty.  They are strong and sensitive, funny, witty, intelligent, passionate, dynamic – they will admit to being lost or confused, or in transition, and might not see the strength and life that they carry as they carry on, but every single one of us sitting at the same table sees it so clearly.    Support, enthusiasm, understanding.  Strong opinions, good questions, tenderness, and lots of love.  Present in each other’s lives even from a far, there for each other in some unspoken way.  Thank you