Women

 We couldn't help but compare my sweet neighbor to Mary tonight.

She is thousands of miles from her home and family in Pakistan, having moved here for her husband's job.  She is expecting her first child, a boy in January.  

She has lots of nerves and questions and in a beautiful scene, a group of us women gathered around her and celebrated her pregnancy.  

In a world where motherhood is often put down and disparaged, she was glowing with joy and excitement. 

We laughed and shared stories and tips and she shared the latest baby gadgets with us.   

And then, when her husband locked his keys in the house when he was attempting to come and pick up her and her gifts, it was mentioned that perhaps, like Mary, she would be without a room in the inn. I laughed, but the more I thought about it the more I wished that Mary had had a group of women to surround and help her.  

Because we need each other.  

For the stories and tips.

For the tears and hugs when things go wrong.

For the laughter and shared histories.

For encouragement and love.

To celebrate our successes and life milestones.

Each in a different way. Each bringing much to the table. 

President Bonnie L Oscarson shared some thoughts from Patricia Holland, "She goes on to say that there is nothing that is worth us losing our compassion and sisterhood over. We just need to relax and rejoice in our divine differences. We need to realize that we all desire to serve in the kingdom, using our unique talents and gifts in our own ways. Then we can enjoy our sisterhood and our associations and begin to serve.

The fact of the matter is, we really and truly need each other. Women naturally seek friendship, support, and companionship. We have so much to learn from one another, and we often let self-imposed barriers keep us from enjoying associations which could be among the greatest blessings in our lives."

Some might say that my Pakistani neighbor and I too different.  They would be wrong.  We chose to say that we had more than enough in common to celebrate and enjoy each others' company.  

And we are all better for it.