I’m the kind of person who has always preferred a few close friends as opposed to many friends at varying levels of closeness. For those of you who recognize the trend…yes, I’m a complete, unapologetic, introvert. As long as I’m confessing my tendencies– I have also made more guy friends along the way than women friends, but it wasn’t like I planned it that way. Perhaps it was because I grew up with three brothers, and took male behavior for granted. My only sister didn’t arrived until after my 16th birthday, so the sister-bond didn’t form as well as I dreamed. Mom and I had a fractious relationship that swung between solid disappointment and fragile truces. Mostly I felt I was the disappointment in her life.
The funny thing is, as I came into my menopausal years, I’ve discovered many women I adore spending time with. The even funnier part is that I didn’t seek these women out, but that they arrived like guiding angels. (My husband is slightly amused at this newly minted version of his wall flower wife, but I digress.)
It has been said that there are no coincidences in life, and I tend to believe it. Why else would my life suddenly attract women with so much to share? Why would they take my hand and show me this freeing time in a woman’s life? I’m not sure why menopause has opened so many doors, but with enormous gratitude, I welcome the women who have become my mentors, my inspiration, and my friends. You know who you are!
