The Girlfriend Quilt (at a baby shower??)

A first-time expectant mom in her early forties, Cyndi was the focus of a fun baby shower yesterday. Her friends Char and Kim hosted the lovely lunch/shower and about a dozen plus girlfriends were on-hand to celebrate this joyous occasion.

Cyndi was not only surrounded by a mini-mountain of gifts, she was surrounded by her girlfriends from all areas of her life - former and current coworkers and neighbors, women she shared rides to work with or grew up knowing, girlfriends she'd made along the way. She has grown quite a league of girlfriends in her lifetime and how wonderful for us to all meet each other.

Driving away I thought about the different women I'd met. From a young mom with newborn nursing to grandmothers and professional executives, all walks of life and different professional/social status. I know that having us all together was most fun for Cyndi. She wanted us to meet each other, to connect and to know her better by the women in her life. The image of a quilt came to mind. Various segments of cloth, all beautiful in their own way but also very different. However, when joined together, form a gorgeous tapestry of color and pattern, a beautiful piece of art.

Cyndi is wrapped in this beautiful girlfriend 'quilt.' Surrounded by love and laughter. Warmed by friendship and support. Hugged by arms of forever friends and women who celebrate this wonderful miracle going on in her and her husband Jim's lives. And all of us are blessed to be sewn together by knowing Cyndi and equally warmed by her friendship.

Thanks Cyndi (and Char and Kim!) for bringing us all together. And, most of all, for sharing your life with us. We're the lucky ones! (And we can't wait to meet baby Daniel!)