Here's to the Women Who Show Us the Way

Free shipping on all orders over $75🎄

Every woman needs another woman in her life who has walked before her . . . one who can share her stories, lessons, and wisdom. We all have at least one and some are blessed with many.

The real gift is knowing there is an infinite source of support available when we need it the most.

On one of the rougher roads on my journey, I found myself exhausted from the constant struggle of trying to keep it all together. I was tired from pretending everything was OK, and I was mentally and physically worn from thinking I could do it all. I was resisting reaching out for support. It was important to me that people saw me as a strong woman. Well, strong was starting to not work for me any longer . . . I could feel my foundation begin to crumble beneath me.

RELATED: Check on Your “Strong” Friend, She’s Faking it

One of my greatest life lessons came from a dear friend who reminded me that “even Jesus could not do it alone—he had 12 disciples.” At this moment, I knew she was right. I decided to find the support I needed from those who had walked my path, who had empathy and compassion for my scenarios, and would not try to fix me, but would love me through to the other side.

Today, I honor and celebrate all of the women who have walked before me, shared their stories, and held me gently.

RELATED: Life is Too Short for Fake Cheese and Fake Friends

She taught me to listen to my still, small voice and trust my listening. In this process, I learned an authentic life is an honest life and the one I choose to live out.

She held me close during my darkest moments. Her presence was gentle, nurturing, and comforting. I always knew I would never be judged, only heard and she would always be a safe place for me to fall.

RELATED: To the Woman Who Saved Me From Drowning

She coached me when I stumbled. Her wise words would be the compass of some of my biggest life choices. She could always see my possibilities and my greatness . . . even when I could not.

She pushed me when I wanted to quit. When I thought I had nothing more to give . . . when I thought I could not take another step . . . when I was tired and worn, her voice was firm and loving.

She inspired me on every level—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. In her eyes, I could see everything that was possible for a woman. Her confidence, beauty, and grace were always present, and in the wake of every encounter, her wisdom lingered for days.

She loved me deeply, in a way like no other woman. Her love was raw, unconditional, and truly authentic. I know today I am a better person and a stronger woman because of her.

And I pray every day that I can be that woman for someone else.

Previously published on Women for One

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Her View Shop

Carolyn Lebanowski

I am the mother of three grown children who has journaled birthday letters to each of them their entire lives. In the process of capturing these intimate moments, I gravitated to writing about subjects that were real and raw, capturing those moments that I may someday forget, but they would always remember.

Your Husband Needs Friendship Too

In: Faith, Friendship, Marriage

As the clock inches closer to 7:00 on a Monday evening, I pull out whatever dessert I had prepared that week and set it out on the kitchen counter. This particular week it’s a trifle, but other weeks it may be brownies, pound cake, or cookies of some kind. My eyes do one last sweep to make sure there isn’t a tripping hazard disguised as a dog toy on the floor and that the leftover dinner is put away. Then, my kids and I make ourselves scarce. Sometimes that involves library runs or gym visits, but it mostly looks like...

Keep Reading

When You Need a Friend, Be a Friend

In: Friendship, Living

We have all seen them—the posts about the door always open, the coffee always on, telling us someone is always there when we need support. I have lived with depression my entire life. From being a nervous child with a couple of ticks to a middle-aged woman with recurrent major depressive and generalized Anxiety disorder diagnoses. Antidepressants, therapy, writing, and friends are my treatments. The first three are easy, my doctor prescribes antidepressants, I make appointments with a therapist, and I write when I feel the need. RELATED: Happy People Can Be Depressed, Too The fourth is hard. As I...

Keep Reading

Give Me Friends to Do Everyday Life With

In: Friendship

Two women at a sporting stadium, color photo

She sees me coming. A small wave from her house window and a silent invitation to come on over for our morning coffee. An unsaid invitation to connect with someone who gets the joys and challenges of being a mother. A quick, small, and valued break from life and stress and my house messes has become the perfect way to start the morning. A neighbor who has become a dear friend. Prior to this encounter, alarm clocks were ringing, breakfast was made, backpacks were packed, and shoes were missing. School mornings are rough. Motherhood is rough. The world around us...

Keep Reading

Sometimes Friendship Is Tested

In: Friendship

Sometimes our own experiences can be hard on our friends, especially when those experiences have to do with fertility and pregnancy. My friend and I met when our children were six months old at a mom’s group Christmas party. She was the only other mom there without a partner, her husband having refused to attend in favor of playing video games in the silence of an empty home just like mine. Her son was a day younger than my daughter. Although she was almost 10 years older than me, we became fast friends, bonding over the loneliness that is staying...

Keep Reading

Give Me Friends Who Aren’t Keeping Up with the Joneses

In: Friendship, Living

Following trends is nothing new. Long before Kitsch curls and Lululemon belt bags, there were perms and, well, the original fanny packs. There’s been a constant, circulating rotation of must-buys for us to feel cool or relevant. And we women have been especially pressured to think we need these things to be accepted and part of the elusive village. Keeping up with the Joneses (or Kardashians for that matter) has just never been my thing. There are plenty of reasons why I’ll never be called a trendy girl: I can’t afford to be one. I lack the stylish eye required....

Keep Reading

Lifelong Friends Are Golden

In: Friendship, Living

They know all your secrets. They can name your old elementary and high school crushes, your most embarrassing moments, your biggest regrets. They know the one you love and the ones that got away. They celebrate your greatest achievements and empathize with your wish-you-could-do-overs. You don’t have to be wordy in texts, phone calls, or conversations—you get one another. Weeks, months, and sometimes even years may pass, and you pick up right where you left off. Laughter with your crew is like none other—unrefined, unrestrained, childhood bliss relived. RELATED: Good, Long Distance Friendship is Hard But So Worth it You’ve...

Keep Reading

Thank You for Being a Friend Who Grieves Beside Me

In: Friendship, Grief, Loss

Friends with arms around each other photographed from behind

My loss has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to endure, and I honestly don’t know if I would be here without you and your love and support. To cry with you and to you. To sit with you in silence or filled with so many words. To feel you holding me literally and emotionally with your gentle and loving arms. RELATED: I’m the Friend With the Dead Mom To understand and witness that my loss is a loss to you too, and to feel that importance of my friendship and life to you. To randomly break...

Keep Reading

As Our Children Get Older, Friends with Young Kids Are Such a Beautiful Gift

In: Friendship, Motherhood

When I walk into our neighborhood pool these days, I’m often greeted by a small, usually wet, 4-year-old. Her face lights up and she runs toward me, wrapping her arms around my legs, and looking up at me from behind turquoise goggles. We bonded a few months ago when I decorated her wrist with an assortment of rainbow-colored, rubber bracelets and filled her a plate of marshmallows and strawberries. Now she draws pictures for me, jumps to me in the shallow end, and runs toward me if she spots me somewhere. Sometimes her mom, who is a dear friend...

Keep Reading

Friend, It’s Okay to Say No

In: Friendship, Motherhood

Woman holding coffee cup sitting by window and relaxing

Last week I hosted a sleepover birthday party for six girls. Six 5-year-olds descended on our house, invited by me in a weak moment of expansiveness and generosity to my 5-year-old’s birthday wishes. I fed them pizza and ice cream cake. They demanded candy. They staged a disco party. They stayed awake past midnight. Almost everyone cried at some point. The next morning—after serving six waffles with whipped cream, not with butter, why don’t you have strawberries?—I felt exhausted and annoyed at myself for taking this on. It was unequivocally a terrible idea. I should’ve known it was too much....

Keep Reading

“Wear It Anyway, You Never Know When You’ll Get Another Chance.”

In: Cancer, Friendship, Living

Two women holding up dresses, color photo

“It’s way too fancy,” I told my husband. “I’d be overdressed.” My new outfit was a beauty—white and lacy, perfect for a summer cocktail party, but too much for a school function on a Tuesday evening. In the back of my head, though, I heard my friend’s voice. Wear it anyway. You never know when you’ll get another chance. The last time I saw Shalean, I was bloated from chemo drugs, and both of us wondered if it would be the last time we’d see each other. My prognosis was bad: triple negative breast cancer, already spread to my lymph...

Keep Reading

The Unexpected Gift of Being a Teen Dad

Faith

The Unexpected Gift of Being a Teen Dad

I'm Raising Young Athletes Who Know There's No "I" in Team

Faith

Here’s to the Women Who Show Us the Way

The real gift is knowing there is an infinite source of support available when we need it the most.

RELATED: Check on Your “Strong” Friend, She’s Faking it

RELATED: Life is Too Short for Fake Cheese and Fake Friends

RELATED: To the Woman Who Saved Me From Drowning

And I pray every day that I can be that woman for someone else.

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Her View Shop

Carolyn Lebanowski

Your Husband Needs Friendship Too

When You Need a Friend, Be a Friend

Give Me Friends to Do Everyday Life With

Sometimes Friendship Is Tested

Give Me Friends Who Aren’t Keeping Up with the Joneses

Lifelong Friends Are Golden

Thank You for Being a Friend Who Grieves Beside Me

As Our Children Get Older, Friends with Young Kids Are Such a Beautiful Gift

Friend, It’s Okay to Say No

“Wear It Anyway, You Never Know When You’ll Get Another Chance.”

free email bonus

5 Ways to Connect with Your Kids

Here’s to the Women Who Show Us the Way

The real gift is knowing there is an infinite source of support available when we need it the most.

And I pray every day that I can be that woman for someone else.

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Her View Shop

Your Husband Needs Friendship Too

When You Need a Friend, Be a Friend

Give Me Friends to Do Everyday Life With

Sometimes Friendship Is Tested

Give Me Friends Who Aren’t Keeping Up with the Joneses

Lifelong Friends Are Golden

Thank You for Being a Friend Who Grieves Beside Me

As Our Children Get Older, Friends with Young Kids Are Such a Beautiful Gift

Friend, It’s Okay to Say No

“Wear It Anyway, You Never Know When You’ll Get Another Chance.”

Previous Post

Next Post

You May Also Like

5 Ways to Connect with Your Kids