Nobody puts baby in a corner

- "Oh Eli", said my friend today, "I will never forget when I felt sooo low. I felt like nothing. A nobody. Worthless, down, broken. And you quoted this line...Have you any idea how powerful I felt at that time? And how powerful I feel now? Look at me, where I am?!"

I smiled. She was so happy. She was offered the new job she wanted so much. Today. I felt a bubbling feeling spreading in all my body. Yay! She did it! So proud of her and so so happy - simply because she was so happy! What a joy!

And that's the thing. That's the "sisterhood" I share with my besties. The ones who know. The ones you share tears and laughter with. The ones you stand by - shoulder by shoulder. Your wing women. Through thick and thin. Through rain and sun. Those who are there - no matter what. Those who love you for who you are. Unconditional friendship, unconditional love.

And a poem came to my mind: Phenomenal Woman - oh what a powerful poem! The strength and warmth spreading out from it. And I think of the phenomenal women in my life. The amazing ones. Today I feel grateful for them. And grateful that I am there - and can share - such an overwhelming joy - for my friend today. So happy - that she just did it, showed them, stood up for herself, followed her dream, went for it. Because nobody puts ladies like us in a corner! Nobody!

Maya Angelou: Phenomenal woman: 

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

So you be sure - nobody puts baby in a corner! Ever!