Strong Woman

I spent an evening this week with an incredible group of women.  We were gathered to celebrate the anniversary of Relief Society.  It's the organization for women associated with my church.  We had a cozy dinner and little presentation.  I didn't bake a lasagne or toss a salad.  Instead, it fell to me to put together the presentation--"The Influence of Strong Women."  My anxiety around this presentation has been building for several weeks.  I made assignments and handouts.  I selected music and quotes.  And every day I felt a little more tense.  Will it be too short, will my speakers show up, is the focus of that video too narrow, will these women for whom I have such admiration see the clumsy chaos that is my inside? The two days before the deadline are a blur of haste and chocolate.  Finally, I was sitting at a table picking apart a hunk of garlic bread and the time came for me to speak.  I stammered, I spoke a few sentences, I blushed and I breathed deeply and stood tall and continued.  Sometimes, I wish I were the kind of strong woman who didn't get anxious.  I'm another kind.