Me challenging the waves
Lovin' the sun at Porto Covo
They say friends can be seasonal, geographical or forever. I have certainly met those that fit in all the categories. Of course to me, the ones that are most precious and that I seem to draw into my life, are those forever. They share your values, they value you. They cherish who you are and you cherish them. They fill you with energy, they don’t drain you and you do the same for them.
Anika and Jana negotiate the steep dunes to get to the beautiful sea
Even in your hard times, they are there for you and understand that the difficult times are few and far between and the good times, the positives, are much more the norm. They give you room to be human, to show your dark side, to see you struggle and that’s ok. They don’t judge you because they know it won’t last and they have seen you at your best. So you are given room to be human and room to shine. And they are always there.
Ah - the ocean - beautiful and wild
So this little diatribe includes all the new forever friends that I have made during this last round of being overseas. Luisa, Jana, Tony, and Stuart. There are others I have met but I am not sure if they are seasonal or geographical or forever. Time is the true test in that situation. But I wanted to do this post, because on Wednesday I spent another lovely day with Jana on the coast of Portugal. If only my entire house sit had been in that location I think the entire experience would have been very different. This time Jana had another friend, Anika, visiting her. Anika’s son Finn was this lovely young boy who seemed to take a shining to me and it didn’t even matter that we couldn’t speak the same language. Jana, Sybille, Anika – all women standing strong and on their own – with children – beautiful, intelligent, strong, and ahead they plough.
Anika and Finn play ball on the beach - free to be
We went to Porto Covo just north of Vila Nova de Milfontes, and although I lost my sunglasses (good thing I don’t spend a lot of money on them) the waves and the water was amazing. It was spectacularly beautiful and the company was great. It seems for the most part I attract strong independent women into my life, since I am the same.
Portuguese Police on horseback - watching over ...
I’ve been reading this fun book called The Single Woman’s Sassy Survival Guide and it is fun and also insightful. There is this one quote from it that I think all women really need to remember:
Young Finn - my new little friend
When a man wants to be with you, truly wants to be with you – he’ll be with you. Simple as that. There won’t be excuses, angst, drama, explanations, apologies, other women, shadiness, uncertainty, ifs, ands and buts about it …. HE WILL BE WITH YOU.
Fresh from the ocean
When a man is truly feeling a woman, he will make a way. Ain’t no mountain high enough or valley low enough to keep him away. Period. End of sentence.
Rocks !!! on the beach
Such an amazing tucked away beach - away from the crowds
Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will allude you. But if you turn your thoughts to other things, it will come and softly sit on your shoulder.
More waves and frolicking