The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: Friendship

  • National Girlfriends Day

    Hello Honeybees,

    Monday August 1st is National Girlfriends Day. Really everyday should be a celebration of great friendships.

    I am so blessed to have such an amazing group of women in my girlfriend circle.  Some have been friends since 6th grade and others at different points in my life.  No matter when these women came into my life they ALL have a special place in my heart.

    So when Monday comes reach out to your girls and let them know how grateful you are to have them in your corner.

    Unfortunately I don’t have pictures of me & all of my girlfriends but here are some of the women that I call FRIEND.

    This crew met in 1985 at the University of Tennessee at Martin. We were given the name “Wolfpack” because we hung tight….then and now. Pictured from top to bottom. Velma, Adrienne, Cheryl, Me, Audrey

    A & BAdrienne & I met in 9th grade homeroom at Immaculate Conception High School of Girls. To say this that this is my “ride or die” is an understatement. We have been through it all TOGETHER!!!

    Rikki, Carol

    More IC family, I met Carol in the 9th grade & Rikki in the 6th grade at St. Joseph. The ups & downs of life can’t keep us apart.

    Boule

    My crafty girlfriend and fellow cancer, Michelle.  We met in the 6th grade and lived in the same neighborhood.

    Tip

    My little sister Stephanie. Although she is Michelle’s biological sister I claim her as mine.

    Kym

    UT Martin was good to me. Ponsella & I met at UTM. Although separated by a lot of miles we find a way to stay connected.

    Miska

    New Memphis Institute brought Miska & I together (S09) and the support and encouragement never stops.

    IMG_1943

    Andrea & I met at Memphis State University, since then we graduated together, worked together, pledged together and serve the community together.

    Jackie & Me

    Jackie and I met through a mutual friend and our friendship has continued to grow. She is also my favorite Yogi…..Namaste 

    BWB.SOLast but certainly not least….Summer.  Believe it or not Facebook brought us together. That’s a blog post all by itself.  This lady keeps me inspired and believing for a better life.

    HAPPY GIRLFRIENDS DAY!!!!!

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom-A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out

  • Peggie Russell, I Salute You

    Hello Honeybees,

    International Women’s Month is almost over and I would be remiss if I didn’t pay tribute to a woman that truly impacted my life. 

    Of course my mother is and always will be the most important woman ever to me.  She is the reason that I am even in this world.  I would not be the woman that I am without her influence, guidance and most of all love. 

    There are friends & family members that are still to this day helping & supporting me but for this post I want to share with you how Peggie Russell came into my life and changed it forever.

    Peggie

    I can’t tell you how Peggie & I became friends. We tried for many years to figure it out but we never could put our finger on THAT moment.  What we did know and understand was that our friendship was destined.  We didn’t know how short it would be but we knew that our friendship was a gift.  Peggie was so good at listening to you but she never gave you answers.  She had a way of making you make your own decisions.  Although there was that one time that she flat out disagreed with me and told me so in no uncertain terms.  That should have been my light bulb moment but it wasn’t.  I didn’t listen and to this day I regret it.  Not once did she ever say “I told you so”, she just held my hand and helped me pick up the pieces.  That was just her way.

    She encouraged me as a friend, a woman, a mother, and a Christian.  She never knew it but she also helped to shape my future career.  She led me to programs and connected me to people that would usher me into the nonprofit world, for that I am grateful.  She saw things in me that I didn’t see.  It still amazes me when some of those things manifest.

    B&P

    According to man Peggie left this world too soon.  According to God the timing was right. There are so many friends and family that miss her daily. She left behind a husband, four children, a granddaughter and a host of others though not related by blood, they still called her mom.  She gave not only to her family but to her community. She was a motivational speaker, author, attorney, preacher, teacher and community activist. To me was FRIEND.

    So on this last day of International Women’s Month I salute you Peggie Russell.  May you rest in heaven with your angel wings. 

    Peggie Hat

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom- There will always be a reason why you meet people, either, you need them to change your life, or, you are the one that will change theirs

  • Girlfriends Gathering

    Hello Honeybees,

    Saturday night I attended the birthday celebration of my sister friend Jackie O!  Usually when Jackie has a girlfriend gathering I can expect to leave with a new friend, new insight and a renewed spirit.

    Saturday was no different!

    Jackie & Me

    We gathered at the home of one of Jackie’s friends.  Because her friend couldn’t stay long at last year’s gathering due to sitter issues, she hosted this year’s celebration at her house.  Now that says a lot about their friendship and about what a special person Jackie is.  When I walked into the house I was immediately put at ease.  It was so warm and inviting.  The host and her family made us all feel at home.Jackie, Mignonne

    There were 8 women sitting around eating, drinking and sharing.

    When I say that there was not one bit of gossip……I mean there was not one bit of gossip.

    We shared stories about our life, family, careers and relationships.  We offered honest advice like we had been friends for years.  We laughed at stories about some of our most “interesting” adventures….you wouldn’t believe me if I tried to repeat them…which I won’t because:

    What happens at Jackie’s gathering stays at Jackie’s gathering

    There were some things that were shared that I know no one thought that they would be sharing. Especially with people that you just met, but we bonded like we had been friends forever.

    That’s the kind of thing that happens when Jackie brings a group together.  It seems like the right people are together at the right time for the right reason. 

    Again, Saturday was no different.

    I left with, new friends, new insight and a renewed spirit

    If you ever have the privilege of being invited to a Jackie O! Girlfriend Gathering….don’t miss it.  I’m glad I didn’t

    If you want to find Jackie,meet her on the mat at her yoga class on Thursdays at Caritas Village, 6 p.m.      Pay what you can!

    Yoga Jackie

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom- Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.      W. Clement Stone