This morning, over my morning cup of coffee, I was reminiscing about my high school best friend. When we were seniors in high school, she gave me a special book that I still have. It had the following poem, entitled, "What Every Woman Should Have."
What Every Woman Should Have:
One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to
And one who reminds you of how far you've come.
Enough money within your control to move out and rent a place of your own
even if you never want to or need to
Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of your dreams
wants to see you
in an hour.
A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying
A youth your content to leave behind
A past juicy enough that you're looking forward to retelling it in your old age
The realization that you are going to have an old age
and some money set aside to help fund it
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra
One friend who always makes you laugh
And one who lets you cry
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family
Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a
meal that will make your guests feel honored
A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded
A feeling of control over your destiny
A skin care regime, an exercise routine,
And a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life
that don't get better
A solid start on: a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship,
And all those other facets of life
that DO get better
Every Woman Should Know:
How to fall in love without losing yourself
How you feel about having kids
How to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruing the friendship
When to try harder,
And when to walk away
How to kiss a man in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn't like to happen
next.
How to ask for what you want in a way that makes it most likely you'll get it
How to have a good time at a party you'd never choose to attend
That you can't change the width of your hips, the length of your calves,
or the nature of your parents
That your childhood may not have been perfect,
but its over.
What you would and wouldn't do for love
or money .
How to live alone,
even if you don't like it
Who you can trust,
Who you can't,
And why you shouldn't take it personally
Where to go - be it to your best friend's kitchen table
or a charming inn hidden in the woods,
when your soul needs soothing
What you can and can't accomplish in a day,
a month, and a year
Why they say life begins,
Right now.
My, how far I have come since I received that special book with that special poem. My friend's message to me in the front of the book says that no matter where life takes her, her life is better having had me as a friend. Here I am 12 years later, appreciating her words, and understanding more than ever the poem she gave to me. Did she know something at 18 that I didn't? I'm not sure. Nonetheless, her friendship was a big part of setting me on the road to becoming the woman I am today. 12 years later, her photo sits by my bedside reminding me that the most important thing every woman should have is a friend.
What Every Woman Should Have:
One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to
And one who reminds you of how far you've come.
Enough money within your control to move out and rent a place of your own
even if you never want to or need to
Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of your dreams
wants to see you
in an hour.
A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying
A youth your content to leave behind
A past juicy enough that you're looking forward to retelling it in your old age
The realization that you are going to have an old age
and some money set aside to help fund it
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra
One friend who always makes you laugh
And one who lets you cry
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family
Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a
meal that will make your guests feel honored
A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded
A feeling of control over your destiny
A skin care regime, an exercise routine,
And a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life
that don't get better
A solid start on: a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship,
And all those other facets of life
that DO get better
Every Woman Should Know:
How to fall in love without losing yourself
How you feel about having kids
How to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruing the friendship
When to try harder,
And when to walk away
How to kiss a man in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn't like to happen
next.
How to ask for what you want in a way that makes it most likely you'll get it
How to have a good time at a party you'd never choose to attend
That you can't change the width of your hips, the length of your calves,
or the nature of your parents
That your childhood may not have been perfect,
but its over.
What you would and wouldn't do for love
or money .
How to live alone,
even if you don't like it
Who you can trust,
Who you can't,
And why you shouldn't take it personally
Where to go - be it to your best friend's kitchen table
or a charming inn hidden in the woods,
when your soul needs soothing
What you can and can't accomplish in a day,
a month, and a year
Why they say life begins,
Right now.
My, how far I have come since I received that special book with that special poem. My friend's message to me in the front of the book says that no matter where life takes her, her life is better having had me as a friend. Here I am 12 years later, appreciating her words, and understanding more than ever the poem she gave to me. Did she know something at 18 that I didn't? I'm not sure. Nonetheless, her friendship was a big part of setting me on the road to becoming the woman I am today. 12 years later, her photo sits by my bedside reminding me that the most important thing every woman should have is a friend.
