Just One more Reason to find Good Girlfriends

It was a bright afternoon in late April of 2006, I was boarding an airplane in New York City,  heading for a weekend with two of my girlfriends in a town near Chicago.   I stood at the terminal, bag slung over my shoulder, shifting my weight from side to side - anxious to get on the airplane and sleep for a while, before my big weekend.

From the corner of my eye, someone rather colorful floated by me, but I didn't look.   A few minutes later, the same colorful individual seemed to whoosh by the other side of my body.   Curious, I turned and narrowed in on the person that seemed to create this buzz.   It was a young woman.  A tall pretty one, with straight platinum blond hair, big eyes and a brilliant smile.   Oddly, she looked rather overjoyed with life.   Living in New York, I have found that this is not such a popular personality in these parts.  She stood out, much like a white daisy in a mud puddle.   

Strangely though, she didn't seem to notice.   Nor did she seem to care.   As I watched her, it seemed to me that there was no one who was off limits to this bright creature - she smiled at EVERYONE.    When people didn't smile in return, she seemed to generate an even greater determination to smile all the more.   

Wearing a light-weight, floral dress with short sleeves, I began to wonder if she knew that Chicago was even colder than New York.   And I tucked my jacket around me a bit more, feeling the chill in the air. 

As I continued to watch her, I realized, it wasn't her bright smile, high energy, or spring-time dress that was the oddest part about this girl.  It was the big bouquet of freshly picked lilacs and pink roses that she clasped in her hands like a trophy, that truly seemed out of place.   Every time she walked past me, I could smell the lilacs and roses.  And every time, she caught my attention again and made me wonder about her story. 

But I was in no mood to talk.  No mood to ask her questions or even let her know that I noticed her.  In fact, as I stood in line, I felt agitated by her glowing presence and started to ask God if He would please make sure I wasn't seated next to her on the plane.  I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep.  The very thought of sitting next to this ball of wild energy made me very grumpy. 

So, I am sure you can imagine the thought that went like this, "You've got to be kidding me!" when she sat down right next to me on the airplane.   Determined, I put my "Plan A" in motion.  I wouldn't look up, I'd look down.  I'd put on my headphones, zone out and never smile.   And I think that for most people, this little plan was fool-proof.   But, not for the blond beauty.  Nope.  As I look at it now, I think I merely encouraged her with my icy-cold-keep-to-myself strategy.  Internally, I groaned when she started to talk.  I just knew, my power nap was so completely not going to happen!

Once Julie began to talk, it didn't stop.   But as weird as this sounds, I knew that within minutes, this precious blond girl quite literally had changed my entire perspective on her.   Though I initially resisted, she grew on me.   Not in the traditionally slow sense.   More like a rapid-fire, "Oh my word, I can't believe I almost instantly like you," kind of way! 

Her name is Julie, and her friends called her Jules. The fragrant bouquet  of lilacs and roses was from a precious man who was trying to rock her world and she had spent the weekend with friends and him...letting him woo her.  She told me, he picked them because it was her favorite combination.   She shared fabulous stories about her life and her love of traveling.  Where she had been.  And where she was going.   And soon, the conversation was bubbling between us.   I could not stop myself.  Oh believe me, I tried!  I truly wanted to win my cold war.  But she would have none of that.  And I fell under her spell like  a moth to a flame.   

Somewhere in the conversation, I told her about two of my favorite authors, Sark who wrote, "Succulent Wild Woman" and Regina Thomashauer who wrote, "Mama Gena's Owners and Operators Guide to Men".  And it was then, that this precious blond energetic source of joy, seemed to lock in our friendship.   We exchanged emails and said we'd write.   Strange enough, we did.    We talked about our love of Mama Gena.   And our love of the male species.   Soon we were sharing the power-full stories about "girl's nights" with my girlfriends and she began a "Girl Power Lunch" with girlfriends in Chicago.

When my birthday rolled around, it was Julie who out of the blue called me first thing in the morning.   She has called me on holidays to wish me and my family well.   She sent me encouraging emails and sweet notes about my family photos.   And over time Julie became one of the Juiciest friends I have in my life. 

As I pondered Julie and her girl Power Lunches with girlfriends, which incidentally has grown to a group of 50 or more invited each month, I wondered if each one of her girlfriends had a Julie story too.  And by the photos I am sharing, you can see that they do.  One of her girlfriends mentioned that she met Jules "working out on the stairs out in the forest preserves".  (Who does that?  Makes a friend working out in the forest?) I've heard Julie talk about new friends she's made in Mexico and other countries while visiting.  And the truth is, this is not a rare thing for her.  Its a rare thing for most of us.  But not Julie.

So I asked her girlfriends what was so unique about Julie and her friend Mona P. pretty much summed it up in one sentence, "[Her] positive outlook  on  life is  contagious...shes a  power  woman   for  sure!!" And I knew, I couldn't have said it better myself. 

In this life, there are entirely too many people walking around like I did in the airport.  Trying desperately to play the icy-cold-strategy. Careful not to look at another person for fear that they might have to engage in some form of communication with them.   Afraid that they will actually have to share time with a person outside of themselves.  And every day, there are scrumptious girlfriends that people miss simply by being unwilling to open up to another woman.

My power nap was busted by Julie entirely.   And I will always be grateful.  I will always be honored that she would have none of my chill-factor. Because of her, I actually changed the way I see people.  I made a fabulous girlfriend in Chicago.  I was and still am, so delighted by her personality, contagious attitude and her consistency as a friend. I am in awe of this precious woman.    She understands the concept of the famous quote,

  "Don't be afraid your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin." - Grace Hansen

 

Thank you Julie...for being my friend.  Thank you for teaching me that life is much better when I let others in.  Thank you for inspiring women around the globe with your Juicy spirit and contagious optimism.  I love you girlfriend!  Be blessed.

Comments

[Christine]

A beautiful story!! Brought tears of joy to my eyes and heart.

Thank you!
I am grateful for you.
xo

[Cindy Tucker]

Juicy Jenn: I loved your story about Jules. I have recently met her thru Arbonne and she is such a bright light!! She definately touches all that meet her. It was fun to learn more about our common friend.

Cheers!

Cindy Tucker
Munster, IN

[Kathy Brandenburg]

I have known Jewels for a few years now and you are right on the money. She is a bright star and her positive attitude is contagious. Thank you for giving her the credit she deserves.

[Sammy]

Bam! Another one has been hit by Our Jewelz!!! To have known this great lady for the last six years has been a blessing to me! She always seeks the good in people no matter how awful they can be to others. She has a God given way to delve deep into a person's psychie and get to the core of a person! You can try to bury it deep within yourself but Jewelz gets her Human Drill bit out and starts drilling away! An no, it's not her gorgeous looks that does it for her! Everything thing about this lady is 100% geniune!

If you are ever able to get your butt here to the Chicago Land (Southwest Side!!!!) you better find her! You're life will never be the same again!

Love ya Hon,

Sammy

[Joelle Jacobs]

I loved this story! I love how you celebrate her to pieces! So beautiful friend, just like you :)

[colleen]

Julie is such a special person always wanting empowerment for those around her I too met her at the stairs aka woods we were walking back and forth and before you knew it we were friends for life I love her dearly. She loves her children and she enlightens my life each day.love Colleen

[Michelle Romo]

I agree with Joelle, I loved this story as well! Just like Julie you have a way about you as well Jen that attracts people to you. She sounds like a great person and friend to know. Great Great Story!

[themommykelly]

Thank you for sharing that story. It is amazing. It just goes to show you how you never know what life is going to throw your way and how one truly needs to be open to all the possibilities... btw: I would have been much like yourself on the plane... looking for a power nap and alot of silent relax.

[Cassie]

What a cool story! Thank you for sharing.