Magic Women

Magic Woman

Something happens in the company of women.
Souls open like the sun, rising between blue mountains.
All we’ve shared are scattered moments;
Carrot cake, black beans and rice,
Liane Foly, Anais Nin,
Strawberries and cream, the richest of green.
Just a few scattered heres and theres, and yet there’s magic.
The world spins on at warp speed. Above me, below me,
Behind me, before me,
In spite of me, because of me,
She is there, choosing to be there.
Asking for me.
Her energy is intense.
She is a driving force.
It’s as though a giant,
Dark red ribbon has been wrapped around me
And she holds the loose end as I spin.
She helps me to unwind, unlock, unleash.
She supports me, encourages me,
Rocks me, calms me.
She helps create me
Even as the ribbon strips me naked, shakes me,
and opens me to the world.
I am safe.
There is magic.
Something happens in the company of women.
Souls open like the sun,
Rising between blue mountains.
Author unknown

I am fortunate to have always been in the company of good and loving and supportive women. I was born into a family of amazingly strong women. I am the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter. I’m not certain how far back that goes, but far enough to lend a sort of mystical strength. My mother, my grandmother, my maternal aunts and great aunts were my first and most steadfast circle. I’ve lost the physical presence of some, but those remaining and the spiritual presence of those gone continue to lift me and support me.

My sister, my constant for all but five years of my life, has been through every stage with me. We share something greater than DNA. We share a history that no one else will ever know or understand. Every time I look in the mirror I see a glimpse of her and every time I look at her I see a piece of our mother and a piece of myself.

My nieces, the daughters of my brothers and of my sister, and my great nieces are a part of the family legacy of strong women.

My cousins. I had six female paternal cousins. I spent long weekends and many summers in their company giggling on pallets on the floor of our grandparents’ living room, swimming, shopping at Perry’s, talking about boys, growing up and discovering our potential. These women were instrumental in shaping me. I have sixteen maternal first cousins. I am the eldest, more of an aunt, an older sister, a mother to them. We are bound by the ribbon of our beloved grandmother, Big Red.

My daughters. A smaller circle, the three of us, but perhaps the most powerful. The circle has increased to four with the addition of my granddaughter, Evelyn, who carries the blessing of the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter. The potential of this circle is overwhelming with its love and power and strength.

My friends. Since elementary school I have been blessed to have good female friends. The girls in Catholic school uniforms and black and white saddle oxfords, the junior high want-to-be cheerleaders, the welcoming cliques of high school friends, my college sorority sisters, the young pre-school moms, the mothers of my daughters’ classmates, my groups of women friends. So many girls and women who influenced me, loved me, shaped me.

My newest friends. I call them my soul sisters, the eight women who comprise our circle of nine. We, who are each at a crossroad. We who are each witness to each others’ journey. “Something happens in the company of women. Souls open like the sun, rising between blue mountains.”

Magic.