The last several months have yielded few opportunities for lunch away from my desk unless I was at another meeting – and that really doesn’t count for lunch in my book! But yesterday and today I was fortunate to not only get out of the office for my eats but to enjoy the company of two wonderful women. Yesterday I dined at Ocean Zen (my very favorite place!) with a lovely lady I’ve known for several years through work. She is the ultimate professional – always impeccably groomed, efficient to a “t”, ever friendly, full of customer service and someone who is a true role model. A lunch that began as co-workers ended as friends as I found a kindred spirit in so many similar adventures/experiences on our life journeys. The reason for the lunch yesterday was for her to interview me – I’m to be the guest speaker for a women’s event she is coordinating in October and I know if the other women are half as neat as she is, it will be an evening to remember. I’ve already written a wonderful speech – too bad I was on a bike ride when I wrote it in my head and can’t remember all of it!
Today took me to lunch at Kaldi’s with a dear friend who has been my mentor in an organization to which we both belong. I always appreciate her perspective on issues and look to her for guidance and support in the next few years on a project I’ll be undertaking. While the atmosphere was more relaxed and the food a bit more subdued, I was still invigorated with another stimulating conversation. It’s amazing that just by interacting with phenomenal women, I come away with a renewed sense of purpose.
Here’s to my female friends………and to more lunch opportunities as the seemingly never-ending budget draws to a close in the next week.
