Friday, March 9, 2012

How We Celebrated International Women’s Day

Deb and Laurel
Barbara: Because we love and honour you women so much, of course we had to acknowledge this most important day: International Women’s Day. Yesterday morning, Deb was invited to speak at a breakfast hosted by Ontario MPP, Laurel Broten (a smashingly lovely, articulate, and sincere politician). I accompanied Deb—to my great delight. Because Deb is a damn good speaker. As you can imagine, she is charming and funny and insightful and compassionate.

She used this chance to speak from the heart about what being a woman means to her. She asked me if her speech was too long to publish to the blog—and I answered, as we often do, that people can read as much or as little as they choose. But I can’t imagine anyone choosing to skim it (although you can skim the (unexpected) parts about me ;) ); Deb’s speech is fantastic. Of course I am always aware of how amazing Deb is, but she still manages to surprise me and take it to a whole other level. She makes me so so proud. So here is Deb’s Women’s Day speech in all its unadulterated glory!

Deb: In honour of International Woman’s Day, I want to talk about the joy of the female presence in my life. I say “female presence” not only because of the women in my life, but because I am blessed to have in my family two men who are very much in touch with their feminine side. I am married to actor Colin Mochrie and we have one beautiful 21-year-old boy, Luke. Colin, for his part, cries like a girl during So You Think You Can Dance. It is sweet—and yes, I got his permission to share that. 

When we had a boy, we thought, “Okay, here we go, hockey, baseball, soccer. But the boy had other plans. Ballet, jazz, musicals, modern art. When he was around ten, he decided to add a game to family game nights. He called it: Luke Goes on a Date. I would play his “date” and my husband would be relegated to play bus driver, chauffeur, waiter, cab driver, and that ilk.  He had to reconcile himself to being a “special business extra” in our son’s dating life. So we would play the game and Luke would take his part very seriously, as would I (Oedipal implications aside).

At the end of playing our very first time, our son broke down in tears. We were shocked, especially Colin who felt that he had particularly excelled at the role of the valet guy. We asked the boy what was wrong. God bless him, through tears he said, “It’s just that, some day, some day it’s going to be real!”

One day when playing the date game, he stopped in his tracks as we fake-walked into a restaurant, “Mom what do I do about the door. Should I open the door for my date? Will she like it; will she be upset?” And I said, “Luke, here are the three stages of opening the door in a woman’s life. In her teens she will think it is sweet and romantic because she is all squishy about the prospect of love and romance. In her college years she will reel on you. ‘Why the hell are you opening the door for me for? Am I helpless, am I an idiot? Do I not know how the damn handle works?!’ In her middle years, she will be comfortable with her equal role to men and be grateful for the thoughtful gesture, secure in the fact that masculine and feminine have nothing to do with equality.” He soaked it all up like a sponge and, although he is only going on 22, he has had a great relationship with a beautiful young woman for three lovely years. I’d like to think I had something to do with that. Me and his cab-driving dad.

I am a lucky woman, my friends tell me, as my husband does all the cooking, grocery shopping, and laundry. I know what you’re thinking: What the hell do you do? I think my son said it best when asked to describe what his parents did for an essay at the age of 6. After listing Colin’s jobs for two long pages, he finished with: “Mommy lights the candles and pours the wine.” He was exaggerating a little, of course. I now use battery candles that are on timers, leaving me extra time to allow the wine to breath.

But in my defense, my husband LOVES to cook. It is his hobby and his joy. And he does the shopping because he does the cooking. He does it alone because he says, and I quote, “You just slow me down.” And he does laundry because—given the vastness of my wardrobe—I need only do laundry twice a year, during summer and winter solstice. My husband on the other hand has enough socks and underwear to last exactly two weeks. That is the way he likes it—and who am I to argue if a few of my items get cleaned in the mix. I am just that kind of collaborating partner.

And believe me, I do plenty. Believe you me. I know it sounds like I doth protest too much and I admit that my list would sound lame if I spouted it off, but I do what every other woman I know does, I keep our family afloat; I keep all the cogs greased and turning; I keep all the balls in the air. Okay I know that sounds like I am generalizing because I have no real list, but it’s not. All I know is, I never sit down. You are going to have to trust me on that.

So, branching out from the TESTROGEN in my house (just invented that word), I am surrounded by a wealth of wonderful women. I have tons of dear friends, some that I have had from the age of five whose relationships I still cultivate. But I have also come to friendships later in life that surprised the heck out of me. One such relationship is my guest here today. My wonderful and charming friend and writing partner, Barbara Radecki. We have collaborated on TV scripts, movies, and the project closest to our hearts: our blog, The Middle Ages. When I met Barbara in 2001 doing a film together I was instantly struck by her charm, gentle manner, energy and haunting beauty. But I had no interest in pursuing a friendship with her—and not because she was a shade taller than me (6 inches) and a tad prettier (waayyyy prettier). You know how it is when the friend roster is packed to capacity and you barely have enough time for the friends you currently have? Well, that was the case here. 

Barbara and I had started shooting a film called Expecting on the unfortunate start date of 9/11 and the day after, Barb went to her local mall to get some school stuff for her girls. The short story is that as she sat in the parking lot chatting with her husband on the phone who was in Windsor on business and she suddenly found herself the target of an attempted carjacking. Suddenly she was kicking and screaming as she fought off her aggressor, a man wearing a scarf around his face demanding the car. She kicked his ass from here to there. The next day I asked her how she did it? Wasn’t she scared? How could she kick and scream and win? She simply said, “After 9/11, I was not going to be a victim.” And I thought, “DAMN, gotta make room for this one in my life. Gotta. That girl is the whole package and I need this special gal in my life!”

I think woman are stupendous creatures and not just the stuff of the online poems and platitudes that I get in my inbox every day. Now, make no mistake, I am not casting aspersions at the Irma Bombeckian bombardment. On the contrary, I love Irma. She was one of the great broads. But I will warn you. If you send me one of these, I tell you in advance that I will not be forwarding them to 5 fabulous women I know and sitting by the computer to see if I get five back. Apparently getting five back in the yard stick by which my worth as a fabulous woman is measured. My reasons are this: I am secure enough at this stage of my life to know that I am fabulous and insecure enough to sit waiting all day, staring at my inbox, obsessing over how many I am getting back or not.

Because of our blog, The Middle Ages, I am now lucky enough to also be warmly surrounded by women from all over world. These women come in the form of teenagers and grandmothers, and everything in between, with every point of view imaginable. My world of woman is branching out thanks to our blog. Oh, and if you are thinking of joining the party, keep in mind that typing “blogspot” is imperative after “The Middle Ages”, unless of course you are interested in medieval forms of torture and tales of scurvy and the plague.

Because of all my women, young and old, far and wide, family and friend, with their voices secure in my heart and in my everyday life, I really don’t need the little daily reminders of what women are. I know what women are, as I have seen the stuff of which they are made every day throughout my life.

The women in my life are the people who drop off coolers of food to my 85-year-old parents to lessen their load. They arrive at my doorstep when they know I need a face-to-face and can’t ask. They sit at deathbeds ushering a fellow human out of this life when others can’t take it. They plant gardens and send flowers. They keep the family traditions going year after year. They emphasize the beauty in this world when it is threatened by the bad. They keep their relationship conversations going in good times and bad and refuse to be silent and let issues slide. They stand up for other women. They do not paint all men with a single brush. They judge each human as a human first. And yes platitudes abound as we laugh till we pee while we eat chocolate and watch An Affair to Remember. Thank God there are plenty of those good times. But when times are bad, these women are the people I turn around and see in front of me. They are the one’s asking, “What can I do?”

60 comments:

  1. It was great to meet you both at the breakfast and celebrate the day with so many dynamic women! The value of the women in our lives is so important. Having just recently enjoyed another "Weekend the Women Left" girl's weekend in the Falls, I can attest to that great value. Nothing regenerates your soul better than being incredibly silly and laughing so hard you're sure the rib will never slip back in place! Thanks again for starting my day on such a fun note!

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    1. Thanks Therese it was a great pleasure to meet you. It's funny but during that breakfast I looked around the room and thought "wouldn't it be wonderful to be in a room with all our blog lovelies?" would it just. I love the weekend the women left. That is fantastic!!!!!!!!

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    2. That was an exciting moment, I have to say: seeing a bloggie there in real life! Therese, great memory-share -- good friends, lots of laughs, my favourite.

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  2. oh Deb! What an incredible speech. I am crying. You sensitively have it all in it! Humor, family love, bittersweet times, great friendship with Barb, the important things your dear friends do everyday, like seeing a life through the end labor to a passing on a death bed, meals, flowers , just chores that help when in need. Crying, laughing helplessly, and sharing life "real life" with the shoulders of those you have come to trust and love. Just beautiful! I wish I could have heard you with your wonderful voice and inflections. Maybe you just lit the candles and poured the wine, but HA! that sets the atmosphere in the home and lends itself to the freedom of expression and love. A great talent!! What a wonderful speech Deb!!!

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    1. Mary-Jo I am so...relieved. Kinda felt like an idiot when I scrolled down past pages and pages to get to the comments. Barb was going to edit it down for the blog as was our plan but she suggested we post it all and people could read as much as they wanted so I am glad it spoke to you. Especially in these last months and year the women in my life have held me up. And that includes you guys too. You were not around the blog when we posted about the fact that we started the blog for business purposes to promote stuff we had going on and then...surprise! It became what we love. Thanks Mary-Jo.

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    2. Wow! Isn't that nice the way things turn out....one of life's wonderful surprises. Deb and Barb, wouldn't it be great if everyone on the blog could meet each other at some kind of get together ..... what an amazing event that would be! Wild, I know ...but you just never know.....I bet you never thought you'd go to Costa Rica due to your blog either :)

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    3. Wouldn't it be amazing, Mary-Jo??!

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    4. Totally Barb, can you imagine! It's like finally meeting a pen pal.!!!

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    5. I really did look around in that room at those wonderful women and think wouldn't it be great to see the room filled with our bloggie friends. I maybe didn't mention and should have that we did have some followers there and met one and had photos and it was sweet.

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  3. Awwwwwwh Deb....!!! I'm welling up......This is so so beautiful...! I just wanna come there and HUG you...would be easier if I could teleport..but anyway..Gosh you are amazing...I knew it was gonna be awesome...but this was so so much more than Awesome.....this is so making me cry...!
    and Damn...I cant even hug you right now....*sigh* I LOVE YOU....THATS ALL I CAN SAY....I REALLY REALLY LOVE YOU !!!!!!
    And Barb I loved the part where you kicked the guys ass..(you gotta teach me how to do that BTW)..and also when Deb said "I was instantly struck by her charm, gentle manner, energy and haunting beauty" exactly how I felt when I met BOTH OF YOU GALS.....
    and Deb this speech wasnt long ARE YOU KIDDING ??? Barb show her one of my messages XD...!!!!!!
    But it was so beautiful....Gosh and "Luke goes on a date"...awwww ! I could totally visualize you guys playing it.....and who says women have to do the cooking and grocery shopping and laundry ? especially when you have someone in life who LIKES to do it !!
    Anyway....Loved it....LOVED IT !!!!!! xoxo

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  4. Shalaka the ever supportive! That is another new name for you. I'm glad you liked it. Let me tell you "Luke's date night" was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. "Barb show her one of my messages" made me laugh. But never fear. We love everything you have to say. Thanks Shalaka!

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  5. Shalaka, the ever supportive....awww I LOVE IT !!!!!!
    and Honey I am so sure Everything Luke is today is coza you!!!...and I am sure Luke would agree with this...coz everything we are basically originates from how we were Raised...and mothers especially have a special bond with us..... everything I am today is because of my mom...and I was raised just by her coz My father transitioned when I was four...so She has been sucha big part in my life...never ever made me feel I need!!! and Honestly a lotta times you remind me of her....If i think about it...even if you both share the same age...you are totally different but there is one constant you both are MOMS..and Ive always had a soft corner for you wonderful moms..you are awesome...!!!
    I swear you see one of my messages...this speech is like a DOT...in front of em XD!

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    1. Thanks Shalaka, Luke has taken the best and worst (sadly) from both of us but he and I formed a bond early on because Colin was away so much. But he has a huge bond with his Dad too and especially since he has gotten older. I don't think I realized that your Dad has not played a big part in your life. I'm sorry for that.

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    2. He took the best of you guys.....that matters....He has the best so the WORST wont seem so worse.... ;)!!! Awww....Ive seen some reviews on the film conscience and Luke talks a LOT like Colin.....I think that has a lot to do with the wonderful bond they have!
      Aww its fine I dont remember my Dad so I dont really miss him....I do miss the concept of a FATHER though.....probably because I'm a girl :P
      But dont be sorry...Its ok !
      I truly believe you dont have to have blood relations to have cherished relationship with someone...who knows I'll meet someone in the future...and be "a daughter they never had!!" lol !!! Life's always getting better !!!!

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    3. I agree Shalaka that the people in your life don't have to be blood to be family!

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  6. Deb's tribute to women encompasses the depth and humanity that has etched out her very large and treasured place in my heart for so many decades. She possesses and demonstrates daily the attributes she values so dearly in other women. She never misses an opportunity to be there for others in whatever way she intuits they need. She continues to astound me. I am honoured to be her "Boww Froww". And, in that way that the Universe has of using our loved ones to bring us the other people and influences we need, it was Deb's new friendship with Barb that brought Barb back into my life, having met and been drawn to each other years prior. Another gift from Deb. My "Sistah B.". Back to the theme of the Middle Ages blog I contributed some time ago - no coincidences, only connections.

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    1. Love my darling Sistah C!! (And she can also be seen in that small photo at the bottom of our sidebar.) You are so right, Cheryl, if it hadn't been for my connection with Deb, you and I -- who truly connected instantaneously all those years before -- would never have had a chance to become so close again. It's the miracle of friendships.

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    2. When did you guys first connect? I don't remember!

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    3. 25 years ago, Deb!! We were cast to do a corporate show in Dallas and Cheryl and I bonded like nobody's business -- and then forgot to keep in touch afterward. As so often happens, right? So that's why we're so grateful to you -- for rekindling something lost!

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  7. Cheryl (Boww Froww) what a lovely message. Heaven knows you would have been my other guest but I didn't even ask you because I HAD TO BE UP AT FIVE AM TO GET THERE! Nuff said? Plus we thought it would be great to profile the blog, not that you were asking. You have really made my day by reminding me that it was new friendship with Barb that brought you back to you your old friendship with her. Love love loverly. Yes back to the theme. Thanks for your lovely words that mean so much to me.

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  8. Sharon(Sistahhood Rules!) ReineMarch 9, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    What can I say? Girl Power at its finest! A lovely tribute not only to the Women Who Hold Up Half the Sky BUT the men who KNOW it and fully participate.
    Colin & Luke are who THEY are directly from you. The Best.

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  9. Thanks Sharon what a lovely thing to say!

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  10. This speech was awesome and adorable. I'm crying, too.
    Wonderful words, Deb!

    I hope that - one day - I can have such a nice and lovely family (but I will do the cooking and the laundry!) without having played that date-game.

    Barbara...I didn't know that you were carjacked. You shocked me!

    You both are such amazing women. I love you so much. *sobs away*

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  11. Thanks Becki, these have been tearstained pages today! :-). Yeah Barb kicked his ass, kicked it goooooood!

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  12. You rock sister friend. I loved this tribute. So glad you posted it all, thanks Barbara for the push Deb needed. Can't wait to spend a day with you both.

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    1. Me either Madge. Looking soooooo forward to it!

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  13. Lovely speech, Deb. Very well said.

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  14. I love the date game! I can really "see" your family doing that (not in a stalker kinda way). What a great speech and it wasn't too long. In fact, I think we need an encore. And I know just the thing. You should create an app with Deb and Barbara's words of wisdom through the years, so that each time one of my boys asks me those life questions, I'll just reach for my phone!

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  15. It's hard to explain properly but Deb your speech was perfect. It showed physical (way to go Barbara...<-----I scrolled up so I could spell your name full out and properly : )
    So back to the speech, It showed the physical, emotional, and best of all the importance of women. I personally am not rather good it seems at the cookie cutter image of women. I don't know how to just sit and talk for hours and hours, I often hesitate before comforting a crying friend, and yet I completely connected with you guy's post today.
    Deb your speech was just the right length and spot on in every word <3
    I truly feel like you both are a part of my life : ) <3

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  16. Your speech reads as though it was a pretty cool event to have been at. This year I got to spend International Woman's Day in Toulouse and there were some pretty sweet ladies handing out red roses to every woman that passed them in the street which was a nice little unexpected pick-me-up!

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  17. Oh, Deb. *burbleglurblesniffle* You are the master of making me do that weird laughing/crying at the same time thing. *hugs*

    Your speech is perfection. Exquisite perfection.

    I will write more later. I am in the middle of a day so good, so amazing, so staggering that it's got me literally dizzy. I can't organize my thoughts. And, this on the heels of a great last night. I'm swimming in the middle of so much good right now that I don't even know how to do it. I'm just surfing the wave and babbling, "Thank you, God. Thank you, God. Thank you, God," over and over again in my head. I'm in the middle of so much good that I can't even really party and celebrate --- I am stunned to silence. I'm in the middle of so much good today that it has hushed me into quiet reverence.

    p.s. Eye appointment this morning. I ordered my fabulous new glasses! They'll arrive in 2 weeks! :)

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  18. Rigel you are another person who has made my day! What a great day! So glad you are ensconced in Joy!

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  19. This just hits it in all the right places, Deb! Women rock! :D

    I love the thing about Luke and opening the door. "Why the hell are you opening the door for me for? Am I helpless, am I an idiot? Do I not know how the damn handle works?!" I laughed so much! :D Although to this day I don't possess that reaction: I still smile and say "thank you" when that small act of chivalry just happens to be directed at me.

    As for Rigel I am also full of joy: I am simply having the best day and as of 3pm I am on spring break!!!!! Cannot wait to be home with friends and family for a short while! :)

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  20. Holly that was me in College struggling for my independence! Now I am thrilled when I get the door opened for me! Holly how nice that you are full of joy too! Wow, let's cling to this feeling ladies. xoxoxoo

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  21. I did not just READ the entire thing, I ate it. I absorbed it. I laughed and wept and felt the kick of recognition. Deb--add yourself to my own list of incredible women that help empower me just by being.......Barb--you're already there. thank you for writing that. it was sublime.

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  22. Thank you Lori for your generous words. It is easy to write the truth isn't it?

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  23. *Reaches for tissues*
    What a great speech, Deb! I'm glad you didn't edit it, every word was worth reading. I love your tribute to the men in your life, you seem to be part of an amazing family. And I mean that you are part of the amazing in that family.

    I also love this so much because, instead of focusing on percentages of women vs. men in employment or any similar stats, you went straight to the core of womanhood. Your interpretation of what it means to be a woman was sweet and sensitive and strong all at once. And your tribute to Barbara was lovely. Both of you are incredible women :)

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    1. Thank you Aimee, I tried to say what I felt and I am glad that you related to it. I have never been of the women vs. men school so I'm glad you appreciate that. I have also had wonderful men in my life and still do.

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  24. I read the whole thing and I loved every word. You have a way Deb of making me laugh and cry all at once and most importantly you have a way of speaking straight from the heart in a way that is honest and loving and kind. It was a beautiful speech and as always just what I needed in my day. You ladies both seem to do that, every post either of you writes touches me and seems to come at just the right time and this one is no exception.

    I had both a wonderful and a terrible night for international womens day and this speech made it feel a little less terrible. I don't wish to bring anyone down after such an uplifting read but a dear friend had invited me to a girls night out with her and some other friends some I knew others I didn't and it unfortunatly resulted in a few rather low moments for me.
    The conversation had turned to the best age to have a child. The comments by those who didn't know me included "can you imagine how horrible it would be to have a child at 20 or 21" and "You can't possibly be a good mother at that age". I was 20 when my oldest was born. As my friend looked at me with a rather panicky expression on her face I very much felt like crawling under the table and have been wallowing in self pity much of today as a result. I know I'm a good mother but that hurt and I'm so sick of defending my choices to others. I'm so glad to be reminded that I have a place here with wonderful women who embrace the many different ways of life without judging them.

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    1. Oh Erin I am so sorry you had to endure this. But I hope you realize that these people were making general statements and more's the pity for them. I have known bad parents at 20, 30 and 40 and tons of great parents at the same age. Two of the best parents I know started their families (much to their parents chagrin) at 16 and they now have 6 children, grandchildren, and about to have their first great grandchildren. I am sure that they felt shame many many times in many circumstances. In fact, I know they did. And who's laughing now? They are a great couple. Their children are happy and accomplished decent moral wonderful people. So screw these woman and the high moral judgy horses they rode in on. You are to be praised and supported Erin. Celebrate yourself tonight.

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  25. A real man isn't afraid to cry. It's always bugged me slightly that my husband never cries. Ever. In the thirteen years I've known him, including funerals. I think he may be a robot.

    Anyway, beautiful speeches! *sniffs* I'm so proud to stand alongside you two as a fellow woman. We do, indeed, rock. :)

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    1. Trust me Roz, your robot is crying inside. Mine was. Then he lost his oil can and he burst out. Yours will too.

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  26. What a wonderful speech, Deb. I am also lucky enough to have four great friends from my days in the "principal biz". When we have our regular monthly dinners, people come up and say they wish they were at our table. We're loud and celebratory, and do enjoy one another's company. We have travelled together to Washington, New York, Italy and Arizona and haven't killed each other yet!
    Women rock!

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    1. Keep travelling Sue. I think it is so great that you have these wonderful friends to go places with. Yeah they rock!!!!

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  27. I spent part of yesterday with some women from my therapy experience. We met for coffee, and this was our second week in what we are going to try to make a tradition. Whoever can make it will be chatting, yakking, catching up, and laughing over silly pet antics. One woman suggested we all go to the Jerry Springer show. Woman after my own heart! I'm all up for that, and don't think I won't come home with some Jerry beads. :D

    Deb, this group and your speech help to remind me of how strong we women are. To go through the tough times and come out on the other side and have caring women waiting for you is invaluable.

    I think we could also call International Women's Day "Thank you, my women friends," to acknowledge what we all do for each other in the unique way we as women do. My experience over the years has been that, when I need some help, men want to/try to just fix something and there, that's done. Women understand that sometimes the help is emotional. We also understand more about relationship issues, and I believe a woman should always include a woman as their best friend. A spouse can be your best friend, but who are you going to go to when your best friend is driving you insane? And you KNOW she'll have chocolate waiting for you, 'cause she just KNOWS what you need.

    I couldn't figure out why there would be a "Women's Day." However, yesterday was a way to acknowledge how we rock everyone's life, and how we rock in our lives, too.

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    1. Deb, I'm not sure I'll ever grasp the concept of having "too many" friends. A friendship isn't an obligation or necessarily an expectation of anything. I have friends in a few countries that I've never met. A quick line of support or "Squeeee" when a beautiful profile picture is posted (usually of one yummy actor or another, or the ever-present cute bunny). We are acknowledged, we say hi, we perk up a person's day, we help, just with a single line of text.
      I should also mention the friend I've had for 42 years (I'm 44) that I email or chat with all the time. Her house is 50 feet away. Hey, whatever works. :)

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    2. Or enough friends, as the case may be.

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    3. Lovely Dawn. It's true that there should not have to be a Woman's Day but I think it's great that there is. Because we are still in many ways, fighting the good fight and it's nice to be acknowledged. Too many friends was my funny way of saying that I did not have time to take on a full time in your face phone every day friend. But of course she was already added to my friend list. I loved her from the first minute. I just didn't know that I could give her her due, the time that such a creature is worth. That is what I meant. In the end, I could, thank heaven. It was a super good lesson.

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  28. AWWW!!!! Your son is awesome!!! He has the luckiest girlfriend on EARTH.... :D

    TESTROGEN! :DDDDDD LOVE IT!!!! Growing up, I never really had many "guy" friends; most of my friends then and now are still women. Not that I don't enjoy the company of my guy friends, I just have a special place in my heart for my female friends. I have one that I have known since I was 13 years old, and though she is teaching in Japan, Holly and I are still privileged to still be friends!

    Then I think about my current best friend. We've been friends since we were freshmen in high school and she was in 8th grade. We have shared so many awesome memories; we've laughed, we've cried, we've gotten angry at each other but through it all we are still friends. Some days it sucks, but most days I love my XX chromosomes!!! :D Wouldn't change it for anything. I'm glad there were celebrations amongst some of you, unfortunately, nothing was really mentioned on campus. Sad. :[

    When it comes to my family, I used to be closer to my dad. But ever since last summer, my relationship with my mom has strengthened for the better, and we are closer than we have ever been! I am so blessed and thankful for the wonderful women in my life!!!!!

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    1. Nobody celebrated that day here in Germany...*sighs* We're pretty lame :D

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    2. Actually that is odd Becki because we heard from someone this week that it is much bigger and celebrated in Europe than it is in North America. I guess not everywhere though right? Oh well, we celebrate YOU!

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    3. Really? Hmm, well maybe not where I live (it's only a small city, maybe they missed it :P).

      But I didn't hear much about it on the radio or the tv...strange, though.

      Aww, that's nice!

      We celebrate each other! :)

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  29. Kelly thanks. She is fabulous too! They are both lucky. It's a shame it wasn't recognized on campus, but hey, you celebrated with us right???? Yes you are lucky to have great women in your life, we all are!

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  30. Sharon ( Mr.Blackwell)ReineMarch 11, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    Oh and Deb, while u look very purty in the above photo I hafta say u looked GAW-JUS!!! @ the Genie awards ( your friend Sheila looked pretty 2 But hon U Totaly Rocked!!!)

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