I'm at the pool with my girls,
In sunglasses and curls.
Our make-up's gone, bathing suits on,
All smiles and twirls.
No worries for today,
We got sunshine and lemonade.
Swimming with my friends,
Days never end,
Mermaids would be jealous cause...
We've got freedom, we've got beat,
And we're dancing on our feet.
We don't care if we make fools of ourselves,
We've got time, we've got the smarts.
Our whole life's a work of art.
All we care is if we're cool with ourselves.
And we're cool.
I'm laying out and relaxing,
Blowin' bubbles, gum smacking.
Catchin' up on my book,
Don't care how I look,
All jokes and laughing.
These ladies are the best,
They love me when I'm a mess.
We got good attitudes,
We don't need our dudes.
Mermaids would be jealous cause...
We've got freedom, we've got beat,
And we're dancing on our feet.
We don't care if we make fools of ourselves,
We've got time, we've got the smarts.
Our whole life's a work of art.
All we care is if we're cool with ourselves.
And we're cool.
But there are rules...
And if I break,
I know they'll take the time to set me straight.
I need never fear, because they're here.
The strongest of my tribe,
They they know my vibe
And what makes me most alive.
Cause...
We've got freedom, we've got beat,
And we're dancing on our feet.
We don't care if we make fools of ourselves,
We've got time, we've got the smarts.
Our whole life's a work of art.
All we care is if we're cool with ourselves.
We've got freedom, we've got beat,
And we're dancing on our feet.
We don't care if we make fools of ourselves,
We've got time, we've got the smarts.
Our whole life's a work of art.
All we care is if we're cool with ourselves.
And we're cool.
JESS COFFMAN
I just want to dedicate this song to my sisters Kaleigh Coffman and Monica CdeBaca, Naila CdeBaca (my niece), Audrey George (Naila's cousin), Carolyn Christensen (Audrey's Mom) and Aunt Corrine (Monica's Aunt/Audrey's Grandma). I had the absolute privilege of receiving inspiration for "We're Cool," while hanging out at the pool, with these very special girls and ladies.
My sister Kaleigh and I, were invited to join Monica and her family, on an all-girls trip, to a timeshare in Palm Desert. Upon arrival, we were greeted with big loving hugs from Monica and Naila, which were beautiful and awesome. Then Carolyn and Corrine who had just gone to the store, handed us my very favorite summer beer! It is 21st Amendment's "Hell or High Watermelon" watermelon wheat beer. You guys, it's the best.
Then for two days straight, Corrine treated Kaleigh and I as if we were her own nieces. Her generosity and the way that Monica's entire family embraced us like their own, was stunning. We had seen Monica's relatives at Naila and Audrey's dance recitals for the last few years, and sometimes for birthdays or holidays. But we didn't even know Corrine's last name at the start of the weekend! When we arrived to check in at the timeshare, they wouldn't give us our room keys, because we didn't have the full name of the person we were staying with! We had to check Facebook. We had always referred to her as Aunt Corrine because that was what Monica called her. And like Cher, Madonna and Lady Gaga, they don't have last names. And Aunt Corrine is definitely colorfully badass enough, to not have a last name. Well...it's Tashnek. Aunt Corrine Tashnek.
As I basked in this stunning generosity, I also basked in the summer pool fun. We splashed, we rode water slides, we swam like mermaids, we played chicken, we twirled around in the water, we had handstand contests, we took silly underwater pictures at night, we ate nachos together, took sunset walks, we laughed as Corrine ran comedically without her flip flops on the immensely hot pavement, and so many more funny and lovely things. I got to enjoy being a grown woman...but playing like a little girl. I am very thankful to Naila and Audrey for reminding me how much fun life can be, when you approach it with the playfulness of a child.
Truthfully, I love a craft beer or an afternoon of wine tasting, but I kind-of resent the fact that as soon as you are an adult, you are expected to drink...all of the time...at every event. And unbridled silliness, is meant to happen as a result from booze, rather than purely on it's own.
It was also interesting and healing for me, to spend about 3 1/2 days surrounded exclusively with feminine energy. I felt cute because I was being childlike. I felt validated, because my sister Monica, is the best listener and least judgmental person I have ever experienced. I felt funny, because my sister Kaleigh brings out the wackiest part of my nature, and always laughs at my weirdness. I didn't really worry about my body, even though I wore a bathing suit basically the whole time I was there. We dressed up for dinner one night, but other than that, I didn't do my hair and didn't wear make-up. I forgot about being 31, being single, not being as successful as I'd like to be, not having children, a home, or a steady job. Yikes.
I basically, just enjoyed loving, and being loved by the other ladies and girls in our completely natural forms. We got the chance to celebrate and simple thrive in our feminine traits. We were nurturing, wacky, funny, playful, adventurous, quiet, sleepy, creative, energetic, generous, thoughtful, assertive, curious, friendly, loving and successfully communicative.
On the second afternoon, I could feel myself getting a bit distant, which happens sometimes when inspiration is about to strike. The rest of the ladies and girls went to the pool, and I stayed behind to sit in the shade, and write down my observations and feelings about the trip so far. What ended up coming out was "We're Cool," a Taylor Swift style, girl-power summer pop song. Even though these lyrics are somewhat silly and obvious, I am actually proud of what they represent. It is simply a celebration of being female, being fun, being independent, and loving other women at the same time.
As always thank-you for reading.
Sunshine, Soul-Friends and Mermaids,
Your Jess
