I have sat at my computer thinking, typing, and deleting; while trying to put my week with Abby into words. No, scratch that, the week I could explain. I find vacations with Abby to be the epitome of self-care. That time is powerful because they give us both a chance to reflect on our life. We both grew up in poverty and somehow, thanks to God, we have turned into amazing middle class, humble, caring compassionate women. I am a clinical social worker and she is a personal banker. We can look at each other and see how our lives have unfolded. We can spend time together just being. Who needs to get dressed up and go out on the town when you can make cocktails, curl up on the sofa, and binge watch Grey’s Anatomy? We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and mirrors. We know how decisions have affected us, and we reflect on goals, and dreams that make sense in a different environment. That was vacation with Abby.

However, to describe her I picked up the phone and called her.

“Describe yourself!”

There was laughter and I swore I heard ice clinking

“Are you drinking?”

She laughed again “Yeah, I’m on date?”

“Oh my gosh, call me later?”

More laughing and clicking. “No, why do you want to know? Are you writing my eulogy? Shit, I know you don’t like the guy, but come on?!”

I find myself laughing as I can only imagine the guy’s face and the scene. Some trendy bar downtown, window seats (we’re people watchers) and a beautiful red headed woman talking a tad too loudly on a phone. I try to end this for the guy’s sake. “Never mind, I was trying write a post about you.”

“What! Why!”

“Because you’re amazing. Anyway, I’ll figure it out.”

She pauses and says just share a quote with them.

“Got it. Now, get back to your date.” I hang up and thought that woman is spot on. So, without further ado, here’s a recap of Abby’s favorite quotes.

Drunken Wisdom

Can You fly?

Meaning of life

Validate Yourself

Unafraid