the circle

Since ancient times women folk have gathered in circles. A union of kin around a basket of corn to husk, a small congregation of apron clad ladies choosing their daily loaves of bread, tireless souls knitting socks and baking Anzac biscuits for their men at war across the seas. Day to day life in all its messy, glorious, mundaneness would be laid on the table and shared about with cups of tea and digested slowly over an hour or two.

A melody of stories peppered with laughter and sometimes tears would play effortlessly and the daily grind would be exposed of its trivialities. Mentors would reiterate that this time is so fleeting and advice would be gently given to those in need. All would leave feeling calmer, reassured and bolstered with new perspectives, a positive spin on a familiar problem and perhaps a recipe to try.

Although the frantic pace of this societal time has caused these circle gatherings to dwindle I feel so blessed to have found myself within one. Every few weeks I meet with a beautiful group of women as we thread needles with cotton and share our worlds over stitchery, tea and a few hours.  Our conversations don't often delve into politics or economics but mostly life's theatrics-  both comedic and tragic. And as it is a time I have to schedule into our busy world I once viewed it as terribly self indulgent. Now I have come to accept its necessity in nourishing me as a woman but mostly as a Mumma. A time of sharing wisdom, compassion and guidance; a circle of friendship.

Are you part of a women's circle? Do you gather every once in a while over coffee in the evening, or with littles underfoot to make shared meals or bread? Or perhaps a crafting circle. I'd love to hear.

Steph x