A few weeks ago, I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook when a quote caught my eye. “When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with cries of “ME TOO!” Be sure to cherish them because those weirdos are your tribe.” I smiled and began to think of the women in my life who I consider my tribe.

My mother and grandmother are the women that first taught me what it meant to be a strong woman, supported me as I figured out how to become that woman, and nurtured me throughout all the ups and downs. The woman who I am today is because of them. Theirs will always be the founding influence of my tribe.

There is an old saying “that you can't choose your family,” but the heavens knew what I needed in a sister and I was blessed with one that is perfect for me. We fought as kids and hated each other on a daily basis. Today, she is a woman I choose to have as my friend. She gets angry on my behalf when I am hurt, she will drop everything when I face life's most serious challenges, and is always there to share those childhood memories and secrets that only sisters have. My sister-in-law holds a special place in my heart too. She is my friend, an aunt that loves my children as much as I do, and a woman I admire. I am grateful my brother chose a woman that I can call my sister.

I consider my daughters part of my tribe. These four girls have challenged me, made me cry, scream in frustration, despair that I will never be what they need, laugh until my sides hurt and have made me incredibly proud to be their mom. They have made me a better mom and woman.

A tribe at work is crucial if you want to preserve your sanity!  At the hospital I work at, they ask the question “Do you have a friend at work?” I answer with a resounding, “Yes!” I not only have a friend, I have my tribe. They are there to encourage me to be my best, commiserate over bad days, volunteer the trunk of their car and a shovel when someone hurts me, and then bring drinks and chocolate when I can’t fix the stupid in my life. These woman are rare, and I am lucky to have them.

There are women who come into my tribe only to stay for a short time. Their time spent in my life was brief, but the impact of their words and deeds will forever be ingrained in my heart, a comfort in times of need.

Then there are the woman I have met through my love for reading and writing. The profound effect they have had in my life is immeasurable. These women have been with me through my greatest despair and my greatest joys. They encourage me, offer wise advice, call me on my foolishness, offer duct tape to quiet the “problems” in my life, and love me despite of all my many flaws.  I have found my passion for writing again and there are two of my tribe that are incredibly talented writers. They are gracious in offering their experience and encouragement to this scared fledgling writer. I owe a debt of gratitude to them.

“I cannot forget the man who stands at the very heart of my tribe, the man who is and will always be my strong, protective champion—my loving husband.  He wants me to be me, the very best me. He willingly takes on the world so that I can escape into mine and create what I love.

It doesn’t matter who is part of your tribe or where you find them. They could be those that you have known all your life, the ones you have carried under your heart, ones you have found at work, ones that share your love of certain things or the one that provides a sheltered home from life’s storms. Whoever they may be, “Be sure to cherish them because those weirdos are your tribe.”