Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. It is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some countries like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, IWD is a national holiday (first started in 1911). I do find it interesting how it’s NOT a holiday in the United States.

In honor of this day, I want to celebrate the many women in my life, letting them know how they affect me and celebrateing them for their diversity of strength and character.

Those who influence

My Mom
While we may agree to disagree on so many things I can honestly say that my mom can be amazing. I owe my love of music (and my love of the diversity of music to her. She is charismatic, sarcastic, smart, and snarky, all at the same time.

She managed to raise two kids, on her own. ((NO child support, NO man, NO health insurance.))  I don’t care what day and age you’ve lived in–raising two kids single-handedly is probably the hardest task anyone could ask. Many people try and fail. My mom, she did a pretty good job. ((My brother and me aren’t in jail, are we? ))

Mary
Mary is my mother-in-law. She is one of the most formidable (in a good way) women I’ve ever met. She is strong, smart, and no-nonsense. She raised three pretty remarkable sons under some pretty tough circumstances. She has also overcome many of her own demons to be a successful business owner and a remarkable woman.

Michelle
Another remarkable woman. Michelle is currently raising two toddlers by herself. (At least me and my brother were 10 years apart!). A person with little self-esteem due to things I won’t mention here, she has overcome and has become an amazing mother.

Oh, and she managed to get herself through school, while working full-time and having two small boys. That’s pretty amazing.

KrUsher
Kristen is everything I am not. Easy-going, mellow, and not very materialistic ((I’m really trying to work on my materialism!)).  It is true that opposites attract! I consider her one of my dearest friends, even if I moved 1500 miles away and am lucky to talk to her once a week.

Currently, KrUsher is going through a tough time. She’s having to deal with the reality that our parent’s don’t live forever. I think of her everyday and can’t wait until I hear the news that there will be a mini-KrUsher coming.

Lisa
Another über-amazing woman, Lisa has also faced some tough challenges and has come out ahead. She’s the mother of three beautiful kids and I can only hope my boys turn out as fabulous as hers appear to be.

Lisa is one of those rare women who accepts her faith and like God, understands that people are fallible. She also knows that her tattoos, her love of a good tequila, and her one indiscretion during her life will not overshadow the fact that she is a beautiful, amazing, compassionate and devout chick!

Besides, all she needs to do is show St. Peter the F’ing amazing tattoo of Our Lady of Guadalupe that covers her entire back to get admittance through the pearly gates.

Nicole
Nicole was my first Florida friend. What’s really ironic about that is she moved here from Denver about 6 months after I did! How’s that for a small world?

Her and her husband are raising three beautiful girls with lots of patience ((Okay, some patience and a lot of threatening.))  and even more love. I’m glad I found her here, and not in Denver.

Ivonne
Ivonne is either driven, or nuts. How else would you explain a woman who works full-time as nurse practitioner, has two girls in elementary school, and is going to school to earn her doctorate’s degree? Sure, her husband is a big help, but come on. That’s a lot going on! She is beautiful, smart, driven, and generous, and I’m honored to have her has a sister-in-law.

Those who get me through the day

Working online, from home, can be a lonely endeavor. Thanks goodness I have a great network of eFriends to keep me company!

Miss Caught Up
Her and I became friends after I started following her blog. We started chatting through Blog Catalog, but that is annoying. I invited her to Plurk, and the rest is history.

I hate that she lives SO far away, meaning the odds of us ever meeting in person are pretty slim. What’s ironic is that if a day goes by where I haven’t talked to her, my day doesn’t seem complete. We exchanged Christmas cards, I know her real name and her boyfriend, and I truly consider her a friend.

Miss Caught Up is funny, smart, crazy, and addicted to all things internet-chick-gamey ((Like YoVille on FB, or Season One, or Plurk!))  Which is probably why we get along so well!

Fragile Heart
While I don’t talk to Reggy every day I try to talk to her as much as possible. She’s sensitive, humorous, and like the rest of us, is trying to figure shit out. Reggy, however, is airing it all online. Which also makes her brave!

Lyndi
Not only is Lyndi the WordPress guru she is probably the nicest person, online or offline, that I’ve ever met. Her blog, Nice 2 All, means just that.

CarolineFB
I’m not sure how to describe Caroline. Snarky, sensitive, bitchy, sweet, belligerent ((She’ll understand the reference ))   and funny. I enjoy every one of our conversations. She’s a bit of a mystery still–I haven’t figured out if that is really not her in her blog profile. But every day I love chatting with her and learning more.

There are more–too many to name them here. Great women like Niamh, Sonya, Deana, Jackie, Amber, Trisha, and so on.

Thank you all, for being women. For being wonderful, amazing, great women.