A Tribute to my Tribe- you know who you are

I refer to those closest to me as “my tribe”. A group of incredible individuals, all very different and all at varying stages in their life. Those that are there to laugh with. Those that are there to cry with. But most of all a tribe of authentic and compassionate people that share life, share joy and share the inevitable pain that we as humans are faced with.

I trust my tribe with my life. They have seen me at my worst, when I’ve not been very loveable and love me anyway. There are no secrets but more importantly, there is no judgement, I know how very rare that is and how very lucky I am.

I am so grateful that I can be myself with them-when I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I’ve f*cked up and when they’ve f*cked up. We do life in all its rawness and all its truth-no bullshit and no masks. To be able to be truly authentic in your success and your failures is such a blessing.

I look around and see so many people unable to be their true self for fear of judgement or embarrassment. Accustomed to the bullshit notion of “fake it till you make it”, and yes we’ve all done that at some point but when you are faking it to even those closest to you or you have to pretend to be happy, you are denying yourself the chance of true happiness.

My tribe consists of friendships that have lasted 30 plus years and some newer on the horizon. It’s my kids and my family. Varying ages, different backgrounds but all with one thing in common- the need to be real. I look at them and know the universe sent me these beautiful souls as we were meant to learn from each other and forge a bond that will stand the test of time. Such a strong believer of everyone comes into your life for a reason.

I love that I can be the same person around each of them- they may all see me in a different way but they all get the same unapologetic version of me-in all its beauty and all its messiness. All of them have laughed with me. All of them have seen me cry. All of them have held me when my pain seemed inconsolable. All of them have seen me f*ck up and all of them tell it to me straight. All of them love me just as I am.

To my tribe, you have been my rocks and I am grateful to have met and shared so much with each and every one of you. I love and appreciate you more than you will ever know.

“You are MY people. This is where life is LIVED. These are the moments, the people, that make life worth living. You are the people who make life beautiful. You are MY tribe”.