I undertook co-leading Women’s Support Group for 12 weeks and it finished yesterday. It was a marathon and I am exhausted. My co-leader quit at the end of the 12 weeks due to medical reasons, and her co-leader for the previous session quit, which is why the opportunity was offered to me.

Because I had never done anything like this before, I didn’t know what to expect at the final session. The eight women presented us with flowers, cards, and a nice lunch with sandwiches, veggies and cookies. One of the 91-year-olds (yes, we have two) hand-made cards for both leaders. It was very endearing.

I posted the cell phone picture on Facebook and was surprised at the 20 likes I got. Leading the group was so hard to do and it is easy to focus on what the endeavor cost me rather than notice the appreciation and gratitude. I read so much about the importance of gratitude, I keep a Gratitude journal, and I think grateful thoughts throughout the day… but I have never created the space to RECEIVE gratitude.

Maybe I should consider gratitude to be a two-sided virtue, and that receiving can be as important and as refueling at giving it. Nevertheless, the next 12-week session is expected to be my last.