I have been blessed:

I have been blessed with friends, women who have like interest. These friends have not just been in the writing field but I have found them in all walks of my life. My jazzercise friends have supported me and all of my endeavors for the past 29 years. How can anyone ask for more than that? They have encouraged me through all of my rejections and were there when I sold my first book.
My writing friends know the trade inside and out. They understand rejections and sales. They critique, encourage, and applaud. They have empathy when a rejections filters through the mail and understand review that are not as great as we had hoped. They know that our stories are like our children. Yet they also understand that if there is something wrong they have to speak up.
My walking partner is there for me on a completely different level. We have encouraged each other while training to walk a marathon, make through a bad day of teaching, and most importantly our weight loss.
My mother is so wonderful (and my father as well, but I am talking about women). Both my parents have encouraged me. They have expected the best from me and have always told me that I can achieve whatever I want to achieve. They encouraged me to take math and science classes in school, never telling me I could not do well because I was girl.
My sister--we were so close growing up. Distance has separated us somewhat, but I know she is there and full of encouragement.
Good days as well as bad days I know I can count on all of these women. If I were to need anyone of these wonderful ladies I have met on my journey through life, they would be there for me as I would be there for them.
Sometimes I wonder why I have had such wonderful experiences.
I have been blessed.