Oprah and the Kindness of Our Villages

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher."
― Oprah Winfrey

And the afterglow of the Oprah weekend continues...

This morning, my 9-year-old son said, "Mama, you know what's so cool?  Everyone supporting you to go to Oprah."

Of course, he is right.  Thanks to the kindness of my village, I was able to attend Oprah's The Life You Want Weekend.  It all began with my friend Meg's generosity and kindness.  And then I relied on my village.  One friend of mine was picking up another mother's Oprah children and offered to pick up one of mine at another school.  She then took all of my children as well as another Oprah child for pizza and for an evening of baking.

And, of course, I was not the only woman who needed her village to help her get to Oprah.  One of my dearest friends had an Oprah child spending the night at her house, so that his mother could attend the weekend.  And I overheard women at the event on their phones checking up on how their children were doing.  It most definitely took the kindness of our villages to make Oprah happen for us.  And we are very grateful.