Wednesday, November 18, 2009

My Village . . .

A girlfriend recently published a blog titled “Got Friends?” and used the turn of phrase “it takes a village to raise me” (please have a read – it’s great) . . .



http://chrysula.blogspot.com/2009/11/got-friends.html

And she’s right – it does take a village to raise me, or as I like to say, to help me live a balanced FAB (Family and Business) life.

While I penned some similar thoughts in my first blog, it wasn’t put quite so eloquently but was along the same line:

http://brisbanesfabnetwork.blogspot.com/2009/10/leisure-seekers.html

Last night we went to watch my son play soccer (as we do every week) but this time he had bought his own cheer squad with him – while he has me there every week, I don’t think these friends embarrass him quite as much as his Mum who is horse by the end of the evening from yelling “come on Bandi’s”. This week Max invited three friends who have become a part of my (our) village. These young people (well they seem young to me but I know they see themselves as adults – and the fact that they were born well after I entered the workforce is a whole different blog on its own!) have become an integral part of our day to day life as I try to provide a balanced quality to my FAB life.

Maddie was introduced to us by a neighbour – she is a smart, intelligent, witty young woman who goes above and beyond the call of “babysitting duties” to help me when I need it most. She has become a friend and confidant and my children adore her getting very excited when they know she is coming to visit.

Matt tells me that he was born at the very end of the 1980’s but I’m convinced he is much older than that! Maybe it’s just that he is an old soul in a young body – he is an emotionally intelligent male who gives me hope for the future. We were lucky enough to meet Matt at our after school care service - he is a wonderful example of maleness to my children.

Stephie gives the best hugs according to my son – I’m only third on the list after his Aunty Sez! With a talent for soccer Steph is a firm favourite in Max’s mind and manages to keep the kids entertained for hours.

Doing this “on my own”, these kinds of people are an integral part of our day to day living – and to me maintaining some semblance of sanity (or the appearance thereof!).

Then I received an email from a much adored friend. Its message was regarding the idea that people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. We’ve all read or heard a version of this concept, and that combined with Chry’s blog got me a thinkin’ . . .

I (like all of us) am a product of “my village” – the village that I was raised in by people who came and went for a reason, a season or a lifetime. There are many of them – people who touch our lives and leave their mark. Some marks are deep and leave ugly scars, some are a beautiful soft touch that leave us feeling safe and loved. Occasionally it is a smile that fleetingly leaves us feeling warm. Likewise, we too leave our marks on those around us. Of course we would all like to think that we leave a good mark on those who travel through our village, but I realise that I am just as guilty of leaving scars. I would like to think that I didn’t do it intentionally or deliberately, however I know I have done it. I hope that the moments of beauty and warmth far outweigh those . . .

I’m very excited about the people who are a part of my village – the ones I invite in and those who just drop in for a “coffee” and then go on their way! I’m very grateful to those people who choose to be a part of my kid’s village – thank you for staying and playing. To those of you who are a part of our village and choose not to leave it better than you found it – there’s a blog coming for you!!!

Who are the people in your village??? If you haven’t told them recently that they make it possible for you to lead your FAB life, it might be time to drop in for a coffee!

G!