Of course don’t we all?

I am responding to and reflecting on the many comments over the years from you all about how is it that I am able to wind up in these friendly shots with so many different women? That is because I have so many close women friends!

I have never tried to articulate the “why” before.

First of all I need to admit that I grew up in the 1950’s, and I have a strong dose of “male chauvinist pig” buried in me that sometimes pops up to the detriment of my relationships. However during the same time period I observed my sister (who is exceedingly bright) begin to carve out a life and role for herself that enabled her to use her brains even while becoming a wife and mother (and that was new stuff in those days.)

Secondly, I was on my high school debate team and was fortunate enough to partner with two or three different young women who became friends and also equal allies to me as we sought fame and victory at the various inter-scholastic tournaments.

Also I was very shy about dating, (aren’t most teenage boys?) and I soon discovered if I approached women to whom I was attracted as a buddy and equal that I could get close. But I never got closer than being “friends.”

So as the years went by I learned how to relate comfortably and well with women. I like them a lot because they “do feelings” as well as thinking. (So many men do not let that guard down) Through my training as a human relations consultant I learned how to be a great listener, and that is a real assets with the ladies.

Thus over my lifetime I have had many great women friends and colleagues. My “oldest” women friend, Bev Scott, who I met in 1965, will be coming to visit in a couple of weeks.

When I worked for the City of San Diego I was paired with Michele Moomaugh. We became a great consulting team together and left to create our own business (Reid Moomaugh and Associates) which flourished for 20 years. Michele became my closest friends and I knew her better than anyone else in the world. And we were just friends. And as you may recall, she was killed in a auto accident about 10 months ago, which has been a deep loss for me.

This is not to say I haven’t had my romances and marriages. I cut a wide swath through Southern California when I first moved out here. Ironically, I think it was my hidden MCP factor they may have gotten in the way of my marriages.

Regardless I admire those two women still, and I am thrilled and fulfilled with my many female friends. If another life partner comes along, so be it, but I’m not out actively seeking one.