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Most of us don't need a psychiatric therapist as much as a friend to be silly with. 

~Robert Brault

I just staggered in from the annual Diva gathering at my friend Rae's house. Two nights and days of margaritas and non-stop talking, too much food, and too little sleep. The sun barely made an appearance, but just being together lightened our spirits.

What's a "Diva", you ask? Here's a snippet of a definition written by Diva Patti…

What Is A Diva?

She’s the girl you’ve known since kindergarten, or 1st grade, or 4th grade, or 6th grade, or high school…..

She’s the girl you giggled and danced with at girlhood slumber parties….

She’s the girl you talked to every night for hours on the telephone about anything and everything..mostly
boys…..

She’s the girl who was shy when young, and is now confident and sassy and fun…

She’s the girl you sang Christmas carols with out in the cold December night…..

She’s the girl you cheered with, danced with, played sports with….

She’s the girl who marched in the band or sang in the choir or performed on the stage…

She’s the girl who blushes at the mere mention of the name Coach Bondy….

She’s the girl who was homecoming queen and Miss Deer Park….

She’s the girl who thought she’d married the love of her life….and then found the true love of that life 30
years later….

She’s the girl who was always the clown, the tomboy, the rebel, and now, a strong and faithful voice for
the people of the town we love….

She’s the girl who overcame the heartbreak of betrayal, the grief of loss, the shattering of dreams and still
laughs and loves…..

She’s the girl who fought, and continues to fight, a deadly opponent who would take her too young, but she
won’t allow it….

She’s the girl whose child was born with a troubled soul, and yet she is there to listen and comfort others
when they are down…..

She is each one of us….all of us….separately or together….now grown into women who live and love and
laugh and cry with each other….and amaze many others with the strength of their bond….

~Patti Stringer McPeek
July 2013 



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Say what you want
about aging, it's still the only way to have old friends. 

~Robert Brault

 

I also spent a lot of time with my parents. An MRI revealed Mama broke her tailbone and fractured her spine in that fall last week. It will be a bumpy road for awhile with her and Daddy. Please keep them in your prayers.

My sons came with me, and while I was off in group therapy with my girlfriends each night, they cleaned my parents' house and washed their clothes.

I mean it when I say I have The. Best. Sons. In. The. World. Amen!

Oh, and look what Tom did while I was away…

 

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Nothing like a Cyclops Cookie (or two or three) to perk you up when you arrive back home after a long weekend of highs and lows.

Here are a few other sweet!s from the past week:

Monday: traveling back in time via photos and journals

Tuesday: dinner and shopping with your daughter on her birthday, even if it's just the grocery store and Subway sandwiches

Wednesday: weekday Mass; rainy days in a drought

Thursday: time at work to study for your next real estate class

Friday: a road trip with your sons; helping your parents; girlfriends; margarita machines

Saturday: how laughter lightens a heavy heart; a few rays of sunshine on your skin; your sons cleaning your parents' home while you have fun with your friends

Sunday: a few more hours with your mom and dad and sister; your twenty-something sons reading for hours in the car, just like they did when they were little

The next few weeks are going to be really challenging, but I'm going to do my best to keep track of the sweet! moments. They are the best medicine (along with a weekend with my Divas!)

I hope your week is full of them!

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22 responses to “Group Therapy, Diva Style”

  1. Lady Fi Avatar

    Oh, what a fun weekend!

    Like

  2. lisleman Avatar

    Looks like a great support group. All these friends at one house for two nights?
    All the best to your parents.

    Like

  3. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    i love the relationship you have
    with your old high school lovies….it’s priceless:)
    and I love the quotes, your sweets, those amazing
    bites of sugary goodness, that your parents have each
    other still and wonderful children who care so well.
    growing old isn’t for sissies, for sure.
    big love to you in the growing pains and joys,
    Jennifer

    Like

  4. Pauline Avatar

    You’re an inspiration! Glad you had fun with your friends but even more pleased for you that your family is so wonderful!

    Like

  5. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Well, most of them spent the night. You're never too old for slumber parties! Thanks for the good thoughts for my parents. 
    Sent from my iPhone

    Like

  6. Hilary Avatar

    Sounds like a lovely time spent with friends but oh, I’m sorry your parents are ailing. Big fortifying hugs to you, Barbara.

    Like

  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much, Hilary! I need them right now.
     

    Like

  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much, sweet Jennifer. Oh, there are so many pains and joys in life, aren’t there?

    Like

  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Yes it was! I'm so lucky to have all of those women in my life!
     

    Like

  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I do feel blessed, but rest assures my family is a normal family, with plenty of warts.  I just like to focus on the positive!
    Sent from my iPhone

    Like

  11. lisa Avatar

    Barbara, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I am sending big hugs and lots of prayers your way.
    My goodness, your Diva Retreat sounds like such a wonderful time. There truly is nothing quite like getting together with friends for a couple of days of fun and reconnecting.

    Like

  12. Suldog Avatar

    Fantastic-looking group of humans. And would Tom mind coming over to our place and baking some cookies for MY WIFE? She sprained her ankle yesterday, and… Oh, wait! I could do it, right? Right. Nevermind.

    Like

  13. Katie Avatar

    oh, you have had a sweet week filled with sweet moments. sounds like a lot of fun was had!

    Like

  14. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    The genial camaraderie of women is one of nature’s wonders.

    Like

  15. Georgy Avatar
    Georgy

    Diva Friends – THAT would be swell!
    Looks like an empowering time . . .
    Love & Love,
    -g-

    Like

  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar
  17. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I totally agree! Especially when you consider all of the history we have with each other, which I confess wasn’t always the best. We were once in junior high and high school, after all!

    Like

  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    It was certainly a week of sweets and sours, but the sours just made the sweets sweeter!
     

    Like

  19. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I'm so sorry YOUR WIFE sprained her ankle!  I'd ask how, but I'm afraid of the answer, knowing you two. 🙂 I hope you baked her some cookies!
     

    Like

  20. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much for your prayers and hugs, Lisa. It truly helps! And oh, the Diva weekend is always wonderful therapy, with or without the sun!! 
     

    Like

  21. Tabor Avatar

    To have so many friends requires more than luck. It means you have been a good friend to many yourself.

    Like

  22. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I try, but I truly think I fall short most of the time. I'm blessed! 
     

    Like

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