It isn't because they have a clean house, perfectly mannered children, balanced meals or an ideal wardrobe. It isn't that they have the perfect marriage, awesome house or terrific job. It isn't the sleek hairstyle, manicured nails or fancy car.
It's the lady cleaning the messy house, raising the crazy children, serving the unbalanced meals and wearing the "day two" clothes. Its the woman living the real marriage, in a normal home with any job she's chosen. It's the lady with the "washed three days ago" ponytail, the manicure from her six year old and the van with handprints on the dusty door panels.
It's because they are a little bit crazy!
It's the lady who will open her doors to any number of friends and their children for a lunch playdate. When she's 8 months pregnant. With her fourth child. She will host those people to find out more are coming, bringing the total of children to 20 and the moms to eight. And she'll smile and laugh and welcome each one with a warm hug and a giant smile of love and acceptance and true joy that they have come to her home that day.
It's the nurse who answers phone calls in the middle of the night. Tumbling out of bed to rush to the hospital for hours on end... then comes to Bible study. With brunch in-hand.
It's the mom who accepts your kids into her house at the drop of a hat. And expects nothing for her time and hospitality. Who won't accept lunch as a "thank you" in return.
It's the woman who takes your daughter to school daily. Who can read that little girl's mood from the driveway as she exits the house and treats her with the compassion or silliness she needs.
It's the grandma and the nana that do fun things with the kids. Just because they want to. Just because they know how much those memories will mean to their grandchildren as they grow up.
It's the checkout lady at the store who knows the specials and the price-matches for gallons of milk and offers them to you of her own accord because it's her desire to be sure you get the best deal every time you go through her line. Then she asks about your kids and how your weekend was.
It's the friend who made you feel "at home" in a new, big city. Who is always there for you. Who cares about you and your family.
My list doesn't end there. My list is comprised of the women I know and love. Who are a part of my life in ways that I never could have imagined.
Today I was included in a crazy lunch full of kids and moms and chatter and compliments and love and well-wishes and "until I see you again's". It was Crazy with that C big and bold. But it was amazing. And relaxing.
Call me crazy. I think it was relaxing.
And it reminded me of all the ways that the women in my life are truly amazing.
And a little bit crazy.
