Thirteen women, young and not so young, gathered at the back room of a local Panera Bread Restaurant to hear the details. The younger gals sat on one side of the room, the older on the other. There were lots of smiles and laughter BUT there was an invisible fence that ran right down the middle of that meeting room. The very necessity of PINK was on display.
The wisdom and calmness of the older generation is so desperately needed by harried young moms. The energy and freshness of youth is critical for life for older women that are feeling their own youth slip away. But more often than not, there is an unseen barrier hindering generational friendships.
We had door prizes, a tap dancing demonstration, an attempt at the hula hoop, a PINK pom pom game to get to know each others darkest secrets, and just a few tips and guidelines for this endeavor. Holly Tumpkin and Sharita Bent shared their desire for older women in their lives, and I cautioned the older gals to listen, listen, listen....and promised that they would be delightfully surprised by their young mentee!
Twenty women are now involved, paired up according to Mentor and Mentee! They've all agreed to meet in person, via e-mail, Facebook, Skype, Facetime, iPhone, or iPad at least THREE times over the next six weeks. We'll have another gathering and talk about how it all went, if it was a success, worth our time, or whatever! If the pairs form lasting friendships, GREAT! If not, no big deal, they'll part agreeably and be just a memory of the summer of 2012.
THIS week, I'm hearing stories. The ones that have met and visited for the first time are THRILLED! PINK proves the point, women need other women, regardless of how they are loved (or not) by their husbands and boyfriends, regardless of how successful (or not) they are in their chosen profession, regardless of what state of life they are now experiencing! Stories are flying!
My ears and heart are full! I met with several of these women privately, just getting to know them better so I can better match them up with a possible friend. Sometimes I feel extremely helpless when I hear stories of abuse, broken hearts, impossible marriages, serious health problems, or irreconcilable differences with in-laws and children.
We are a fragile, broken people. Hopefully, eventually, every PINK participate will realize the depth of love God has for her, realize her worth, personal identity and freedom that comes from Christ, and find peace IN her present situation. Hopefully, that will be accomplished through a purposeful, inspiring, nurturing and kind friend.
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