Yesterday was International Woman’s Day, and it was about paying attention to women, like a birthday, anniversary, some milestone. I gave focus to it and told people in social media they were welcome to any of my journals via pdf.  I met with Kalanit who is going to be my virtual assistant. She is young, bright and calm. I met her at the local Starbucks off 35th. I think it’s somewhat humorous that I can’t have a virtual assistant unless I meet her in person, but I think that’s how most people are. We want to see people in the flesh. So yes, having an online business that doesn’t allow people to see me in the flesh is difficult. Ideally, you get to know me with my writing and other social media adventures.

I had grabbed a table, and she had her four-month-old son, Chai, with her. I bought the coffee, and we sat down to talk about how she can help me, relieve some of my work pressure so I can focus on writing. We spoke as if it were natural to have her son coddled against her arms, rocking him, cooing him. Of course, my instinct was to see if she needed help but Kalanit was perfectly capable of taking care of her son. It was entirely okay that we were having a business meeting and she had her son. The meeting was a good one.

Communal living was brought up in conversation, and we both sighed. Intergenerational family homes of the past I crave. So does Kalanit. We digressed off topic as we imagined how that might be. How do we build our businesses together and make them work, so we aren’t stressed?

The rain was pouring down. The inside of Starbucks was comforting with the fireplace, and the interaction we had with one another was genuine. We said “good-bye.” She was off to her workplace, bringing Chai because she CAN DO work in this way.

The day evolved with me meeting Cynthia for lunch. She has been a friend since our kids went to the same grade school which was a long time ago.  Our friendship stays strong. I went home to study for a test I’m taking this morning. My husband made dinner because I was lost in focus until we ate. Then I studied some more. My brain was exhausted. I much prefer writing.

Looked at social media before going to bed and donated to Stephanie’s birthday donation fund for Alzheimer’s and read in-depth that Bill (one of my friends and a client whose book I’m working on) lost his younger brother today. I read his tribute to Johnny with full heart and acknowledgment. Another life is gone. Memories are present but how will the younger generation know this person? I commented on Bill’s loss and told him for sure I’d come to his brother’s memorial in April if that’s possible. Honor and respect for passing life.

On Being A Woman and celebrating me? I’ve been learning how to do this all my life. And now I understand the importance of being me in everything I do. There are no more masks. There are no more barriers between me and you or me and the world. I take every step with the assurance that I am worthy of being a woman and being me as a woman. I validate myself and look at others in that same way.

So many stories to tell and put them into books. Our stories. Our Books.

~ Take care and be kind to yourself.