I’ve been watching the Netflix show “Grace and Frankie” for the past few weeks. It was recommended by a bunch of my women friends.
I love it.
You know why? Not because of the great writing, the wonderful acting, the humor or the gorgeous beach front location.
Nope.
I love it because it captures the evolving relationship of two women who have been in each other’s lives for years without truly connecting. It shows the tender dance of two women who are thrown together through an unimagined tragedy/comedy. It looks at the special bond between women who have always focused on their differences, but who suddenly find a need to see their similarities.
I love it.
I love it because many years ago, when I was young and the world was full of promise, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by loving women friends. Oh, sure, we weren’t actually “women” yet. We were adolescent girls, complete with acne, insecurity and remarkably uncontrollable hair.
But we found each other. We supported each other. In spite of the occasional boyfriend spat, we held each other up and helped each other to grow.
Those women overlooked my self-absorbed rantings. They pretended that they didn’t see my social struggles or my complete lack of fashion sense. They were my team.
The years went by, we went our separate ways. We married, or we didn’t. We went to college, or we didn’t. We were financially successful, or we weren’t. There were babies, divorces, illnesses, deaths, losses.
For a few decades, we barely knew each other.
But. Here we are now. Together once again.
After years apart, different paths, different stories, different experiences, we find ourselves connected once again.
And much like Grace and Frankie, we are finding our commonalities. We are rediscovering our shared experiences and our shared triumphs. We are able to look past the old comparisons and find the best in each other.
After many decades of defining myself only in terms of my ability to nurture, to mother, to teach, I am in absolutely desperate need of these women who knew me when I was just the goody-goody girl with the big Italian family and the mediocre alto voice. I need the shared jokes, the stories from our past. I need the love and support of women who can look at me and see the me that hides inside the Mom/Nonni/wife/daughter. I need the women who see the girl inside.
And I’ve found them.
That’s why I love “Grace and Frankie.” Because it gets to the core of female friendship.
Thank you, women of RMHS!
Pretty sure I’d be Frankie.
Empty Nest, Full Life 
YES, isn’t it fab?! I’m only 51, but can so see myself in both of them, and I know it won’t be long… I’d be nowhere without my dear girl friends ❤
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And I LOVE the two actresses so much.
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Isn’t it fabulous! They crack me up.
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They do! But I am almost always brought to tears, too. Great show!
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My wife and I discovered this show early this year – we can’t get enough of it. Waiting for the next season of it.
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What a lovely, intelligent analysis of Grace and Frankie and an even better portrayal of your own life and the importance of women friends. I initially thought I hated Lily Tomlin’s zany hippy impression and dropped the show after one or two viewings. Last year, however, I tried watching it again and watched the entire series in a couple of weeks. I’m not sure if there have been more shows since then but your posting has prompted me to look. Loved this piece.
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Thanks! Sometimes I think the characters are a little overdone (especially Sam Waterstons), but then the subtleties come through. I found the show through my women friends, so it has special appeal for me right now.
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i’ll have to check it out, it sounds wonderful. love your comments about woman friends as well
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The older I get, the more I revert to the me of my youth. I think that’s good…..? I hope? Those women have been my anchors in the past, and its wonderful to have them in that role again.
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Your alto wasn’t mediocre….. 🎼🎤🎵. Isn’t it great to spend time with ‘people who knew you when’ but also feel that they know you now? Or are getting to know you now? Love you!
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Oh, yes it was! But I still love to sing! And I still love you, my dear!
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I love that show and yes it’s the friendship that draws me in. I’d be lost without my girl friends with me through thick and thin.
BTW I highly recommend Wanted. It’s about two female Australians and is fantastic.
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Thanks, Tric!!
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