ANAM CARA

I originally posted this entry in 2009, right after I first began my blog....then somehow deleted it while I was 'cleaning up' my posts. I rather like it's message, so I decided to try it again.

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In the Celtic tradition, there is a beautiful understanding of love and friendship. One of the fascinating ideas here is the idea of soul-love; the term for this is Anam Cara. Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and Cara is the word for friend. In the early Celtic church, a person who acted as a teacher or spiritual guide was called an anam cara. Someone you could share the intimacies of your life with. When you had an anam cara, you were joined in an ancient and eternal way.  You had a 'friend of your soul'.

Eventually anam cara became the description for an intimate and special companion.

I love this concept and feel blessed to have so many anam cara in my life.
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I have two girlfriends that I met over 40 years ago during my freshman year of college. We have remained very close throughout the years-sharing one another's joys and sorrows along our varied life paths-and now find ourselves in about in the same place. Our children are gone and we are focusing more on ourselves. We've made a pact to live richer, wilder, juicier lives. We are trying to forge new careers making art, and often travel together to local art shows and fairs, making each a grand adventure. We often arrange overnight "brainstorming sessions", which always include lots of red wine and soulful chats. My Whimsy Sisters are my mirror.

I have a girlfriend who is my muse...she keeps me inspired with her zesty bits of wise advice/stories/quotes about life. I admire her so.

I have a girlfriend I met two decades ago at a work related conference. I was drawn to her whacky sense of humor immediately. I rarely see her, but, we chat via intimate, exuberant e-mails. She fills me with joy.

I have a group of girlfriends from "my neighborhood". We met when our boys were young, and have remained close, now long after our children have left home...meeting to lunch and shop and laugh. They are my tonic.

I have new girlfriends whom I have recently met through my artist community, ETSY. They support me and and challenge me. I feel so blessed to welcome them into my life.

I have my sister (who loves me in spite of all my flaws), and seven sisters-in-law. We share that messy, family blend of celebrations and challenges between us. Our relationship is lovingly rich and rare.

I have my Mom. My my safe place to fall.

And, I have my three daughters. My beautiful and brilliant daughters. We have an amazingly nourishing bond...sometimes I think we truly are fragments of one another.

I acknowledge all my dear girlfriends with a very full heart.