This is what the plaque says. The plaque that somehow, magically, binds 5 women together. These women, originally introduced through business, have been transformed into the Ya Ya's.
In the beginning there was Linda, who sold radio advertising for CHFI to a woman named Megan, who handled the marketing for a shopping centre called Sherway Gardens. There was Ann, who represented the advertising agency who represented Sherway Gardens in the outside world. There was also Maxine, who sold radio advertising to Megan, through Ann, for a competitor of CHFI called CHUM-FM.
Next Linda gets a promotion and leaves CHFI to manage another radio station and Shelby steps in to handle the account called Sherway Gardens. One of the women, certainly not Shelby, had the brilliant idea to have these 5 women get together for dinner one night at a place called Mildred Pierce, in Toronto. This simple dinner, about 8 years ago, started these five women on a path of friendship and, as the plaque says, “laughter and tears“, and a glorious journey through their shared lives.
Five more different women you could not imagine.
There is Linda. She is strong. She is generous. She is driven and successful. She is a wonderful mother and a person that everyone seems to need things from. Linda is that kind of giving woman. Some need her for her advice, which she gives freely and never steers you wrong. She has great insight into people and is smart. If you are lucky enough to work with her she can save your life at work! Trust me, I know! Some need her to tuck them in at night and drive them to every possible activity there is, and let them grow big and strong, while always leaning on her for support...these people would be her sons. Some need her to laugh with. Linda has the best laugh!!!! Some need her to gather their family together and create memories through all the holidays she hosts....every single year. She cooks and whirlwinds perfection. Some need her to make their life special, through her love, cause she loves you to the moon and back!! Some need to have her as a friend. We have that need.
Next there is Megan. Like Linda, Megan is a fabulous mother. Raising a son, mostly on her own, she has dedicated her life to making him what he is today. Someone any mother would be proud to call “her son”. She works hard and tirelessly and expects others around her to be diligent, thus making them as successful as she is. She is proud. She is respected by all who know her. She has her own unique, fabulous style. Megan is a football fanatic!! Superbowl Sunday should be re-named, Megan’s Day. She is brave and does things that others would not have the courage to do. She travels to places, others would fear, in hopes of offering a helping hand to those she meets; Than she gives that hand. She, too, is generous. She opens up her homes to those she loves and gives unconditionally. If you are blessed enough to have her as a friend she will always be there for you. We are that blessed.
Than there is Ann. She is another woman whose life is bound to her children. She has three sons, one of which she gave birth to, yet she loves them all the same. She is the woman who created this group's title, through the giving of the plaque. She believes in each of us so strongly that we would do anything not to let her down. She compliments us with her total trust. Ann is a believer in family and friendship; Her Italian heritage is the cornerstone of her beliefs. She is a great cook!!! Ann also has a secret past life...as a dart champion! She is so successful in her career that she is constantly sought after by competitors. Everyone wants Ann on their team. She delivers. She is the epitome of the advertising business. She is class. Ann laughs and she makes us laugh with her quirky ways. She looks at life in a way that is sweet and innocent, while wearing Dolce and Gabbana. She morphs her way through life…fitting in and bringing pleasure to those she touches. She touches us.
Next we have Maxine. Competitive, driven, Maxine. If Maxine decides to succeed at something she does. She became close to a scratch golfer in her 40’s. She was an Olympic athlete. She lived in Australia for a year playing soft ball for team Canada. She travels the world and at 52 years of age rode her bike through parts of Europe following the Tour de France. First she had to buy a bike! She has no fears. She is tireless. She takes everything on...head on. Maxine takes care of people and loves deeply. She will know every single person's name, in a room full of strangers, within an hour. If you are lucky enough to meet her she makes you feel important and special. She has that gift. She is happy and joyful. Totally unpretentious, yet she loves the finer things in life and has introduced us to many of them. She would die before she would let you down. If you need her, she will be there for you. She is there for us.
Finally there is me. I can not define myself except to say that I am a better person because of these women. They have given me so much, during my life with them, that I can not imagine how things would be for me without them. They make me laugh. They make me cry. They make me smoke, make me drink too much wine and I adore each of them in their own special way.
Next week our Ann turns 50. She is the 4th one of us to reach this pinnacle. I was first. Then there was Maxine, than Megan. Linda is our baby. In celebration of Ann’s birthday the Ya Ya’s are coming to be with me and Maurice. There are the partners of the Ya Ya’s who have been labeled, the Na Na’s, who will also be here. It will be a week of joy, laughter, and one that will create memories for us all. It’s a beautiful thing since the Na Na’s will enjoy it as much as we do. We know from experience.
So there you have the story of the Ya Ya’s. How we came to be. You will be hearing lots about them in the next week or so as we get ready for our first Mexican Adventure!!! Stay tuned!
Can you guess who is who??
