Where is time going?! I have never known time fly like it is this year, maybe it’s just me, maybe I’m getting old, but it’s taking some coping with! However . . .

Today is a day when we should spend a few moments to think about the women in our lives, or women who have helped inspire us, cared for us, love and have loved us; women who gave us a spark to re-evaluate our lives, have guided us to where we are today, for without women, none of us would be here. It’s a day to say, “Thank You” – it’s International Women’s Day!

We all need each other in this world, but there are always those people we meet along the way who leave a special print on our lives, on our souls. I am very lucky to have a wonderful relationship with my Mum, she has been in my life from day one, literally! I know how blessed I am to have my Mum in my daily life today, and truly cherish her presence. I have female friends who enrich my life, who show every aspect of what a woman is capable of; from their love, their friendship, support, patience, tolerance, their strength, forgiveness and endless energy, they really are inspirations.

Around the world, and in this country, there are those who’s role of a mother, and being a woman is hindered by many constraints. We are a fast changing species, and as such there seem to be more extremes transpiring all the time. Some parts of the world are still very difficult, where existence is a daily fight; where Mums can do nothing but watch their new born and young children die due to horrendous living circumstances. Where women are not allowed to be heard, nor seen, have no rights nor ways of experiencing and expressing themselves, and live a very restricted life, in the dominance of men. On the other hand, there are women who have more opportunities than ever before, even running countries! They stand equally to men on business boards, and positions of authority.The extremes between the two are almost too extreme to believe they are all on the same planet, only a matter of hours by plane apart, it’s a mind blowing concept. How the gap between the two extremes has changed.

Whilst I encourage everyone to live their dreams and be free to achieve them, irrespective of gender. I do also acknowledge the fundamental role differences between men and women, and would not like to think those values were ever eroded. A more global level of acceptance of women and their abilities would be lovely, but I doubt I’ll be still around to see that global transformation.

So today, on this internationally recognised day, take five minutes to just think and acknowledge the women you know; who hold a special place in your heart and life. Give them a call, send them thanks and love, for without their presence, near or far, our lives would have been that little bit less whole than it is today . . .

Happy Women’s Day to all the women in my life, and thank you all for enriching my life.

Druantia