When I first sat down to write this post I was concentrating on what I didn’t have: a Mommy Group, or a Mom Tribe. While it’s true I don’t belong to any one single mom-type group, you know the sort of group who has planned weekly or monthly get-togethers or Girls’ Night Out. You always see them in group photos posted on social media, they all met up for dinner or drinks, or a yoga class or something. Nope, I don’t have that sort of group. At first I thought I didn’t have a tribe at all.
But the more I thought about my friends, I realized that although I had never really fit into any mommy group (and I’ve joined plenty) and as much as I’d love to be a part of those groups of friends who drop everything and go, who occasionally get to escape marriage and motherhood and attend a girls weekend, I don’t have a “drop-n-go” life. And ya know what? That’s okay because I’ve discovered I DO have a tribe and my tribe is unique.
My tribe consists of women in every stage of motherhood and non-motherhood. Some of my tribe have grown, adult children, some have babies, toddlers, school-age kids, while others haven’t any children but have become “Aunt” to my own child. Some I’ve known all my life, others only a short time. There are members of my tribe who I don’t see or speak to for long periods of time but when I do it’s as though no time has passed. We pick up right where we left off. Even across many miles.
I also like to include in my tribe the many beautiful friends who are linked together through the magic of the internet. We met in private groups, open forums, and common interest pages. Most of whom I’ve never met in person but we’ve become each others’ sounding board, an ear to lend, a source of support, and sometimes a terrific MadLibs opponent on a Saturday night when the kids are sick and we needed a distraction.
I’m truly grateful for all the women in my tribe. My wonderful, fabulous, unique tribe.
