Monday Melancholy
Soul Sisters to the Rescue
Monday was a rare unscheduled day except for a much-anticipated holiday party that evening with a small group of women who are part of my closest circle of soul sisters. I was really looking forward to the evening and had the day to dust, sweep, and tidy the bathroom. I had plenty of time to prepare the snacks and holiday punch. I refilled the bird feeders, turned on Christmas lights inside and out, and even gave myself permission to take a short nap before I showered and dressed for the gathering.
I’m not sure where the melancholy came from, but I took note of it without too much worry. I’ve learned that emotions come and go. It could have been the news headlines that I skimmed that morning. It could have been memories of my mom and sisters that come up – memories of past Christmas’ when parties were hosted together and now, I was preparing alone. It could have been some ghosts of old insecurities and fears, once felt as anxiety, now downplayed to something less debilitating. Or it could have simply been that it was Monday.
I reflected on what brought this group of women together. As I’ve been exploring the last few years what my “work” might be, I developed and offered a multi-session workshop called Dream Catching: Your Someday is Now. Its content was based on how I learned to trust, hope, and believe that dreams can come true. The lessons required courage and vulnerability to explore what was holding us back so we might move forward. Six of the twelve women who participated were able to join me Monday night. Some were meeting each other for the first time.
As I lit the final candles and mixed the holiday punch in my great-grandmother’s crystal pitcher, my melancholy began to shift. I greeted them each with a huge, sincere hug and realized that here before me were six earthly angels who, unbeknownst to them, were placed in my path to encourage, guide, and hold me up through some of the most challenging times as I unraveled my old life and began living my dreams.
As I introduced them to each other, I told the stories of our connections. It was clear that there are no coincidences when it comes to dream catching. I was suddenly transported to a place of joy and gratitude.
Soul Sister #1. I’ve known Soul Sister #1 the longest. So long that I can’t remember exactly how we met. We are connected from our Nebraska roots and some parallel histories. I was delighted when an acquaintance of hers met me for the first time and asked if we were sisters. I smiled as I simply replied that we are certainly “soul sisters.” She is my friend of daily exchanges about ups and downs of simply living. She understands the transformation that I have experienced because she has been there too. Our shared experiences opened the door for a deeper connection that few others can really experience.
Soul Sister #2. Soul Sister #2 was first a professional colleague that became a friend. It was a number of years later when we connected more deeply with shared experiences of marriages ending, careers transitioning, and deep healing journeys underway. She was the person I called when I needed a referral to a therapist. She was the friend that pointed me to Brené Brown’s research to understand “midlife unraveling,” perfectionism, belonging, and vulnerable courage. She was the one I called when I couldn’t breathe between my deep sobs on my fifty-fifth birthday after a triggering phone call with a family member. We listen and keep each other’s’ secrets, encouraging healing along the way.
Soul Sister #3. I remember the exact moment when I realized Soul Sister #3 was meant to be in my life. Early in 2022, I had met a number of women who were living alcohol free, and I knew I needed more support in my own journey. Staring out the window of my guest bedroom, it struck me like a lightning bolt that I needed this woman in my life. I’ve never experienced such certainty. I invited her to coffee, and we began our friendship that continues to be a constant series of deeply connecting moments – usually with goosebumps and awes of wonderment. We are in different phases of life – she with young children and an artful career, while my son is grown and I’m finding my way. We never leave each other without a long embrace and repeated words of “I love you.”
Soul Sister #4. Nearly two years ago, Soul Sister #3 introduced me to Soul Sister #4, knowing that we share some common experiences and nontraditional beliefs. Thirty years my junior, Soul Sister #4 and I connect at a deep spiritual level. She is the consistent coordinator of our coffee dates, for which I am grateful. Our time together is always so insightful and healing that we decided we should pay each other as our personal therapist. Just as important, is the shared laughter that comes between teary eyes of big emotions we carry in our hearts.
Soul Sister #5. I met Soul Sister #5 on December 16, 2022 while we were volunteering for a local arts organization. As we became acquainted, I told her my story. Although I didn’t know exactly what was next for me, I knew that stories would be at the heart of my work and art would be the foundation. She had been retired for a number of years and showed me immense empathy and understanding. Soon, we met again unexpectedly. She whispered to me, “I’ve been thinking about you and have something I want to give you.” She made a quick trip home and returned with a copy of Julia Cameron’s book, The Prosperous Heart: Creating a Gift of Enough. Although it wasn’t the exact book she had wanted for me, it was the one that appeared on her bookshelf and, it turns out, the one I needed. As I worked through the twelve chapters, I learned that I had enough and I could live with less. It confirmed that what brings me true joy costs nothing. I learned that abundance comes with ease when we trust and follow signs of our own intuition. Then, when I was in a small bookstore and vividly remember turning around and seeing square in front of me, another Julia Cameron book, The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. There was only one copy and it was meant for me. My dream of writing began to come alive.
Soul Sister #6. It was The Artist’s Way that then led me to Soul Sister #6 just this summer and more synchronicities that are even possible to count. She participated in a class I facilitated to work through the twelve-week program of releasing the artist within us. As I told them how I was introduced to the book, Soul Sister #6 delightfully told us that she had known Soul Sister #5 for over twenty years. Unexpectantly, we then found ourselves in a magical triad for my most recent Dream Catching workshop this fall. With them, I scheduled the holiday gathering and invited the others as a sort of reunion.
As we sat around my living room with delightful ease, it felt like I had come full circle. I whispered secretly to them my next dream of someday. I know they will help me to continue to practice trust and to be brave on the next adventure.
It seems that my angels and ancestors are working on overdrive attempting to bring some bits of joy to the world that is so very hard right now. I truly believe each of my Soul Sisters are earthly angels placed in my path – in each other’s paths – just when I needed them. Each with a specific purpose that isn’t always immediately revealed, but which I can clearly see now. The gift of their spirits brightens my world.
With loving wishes of deep friendships,
Amy
A life of rich relationships is the richest life ever. How wonderful!
What a wonderful gathering with soul sisters :)