Years ago, maybe 15 years ago, a group of moms at my childrens’ school were on the PTSO and also on a committee to find space solutions for the overcrowded elementary schools in our community. Not so creatively, we referred to ourselves as “The Space Committee”, which led to all sorts of spinnoff names – ending with us calling ourselves “space-cadets” – again not so clever, but endearing.
We did wonderful work together and when our solutions for the schools were put into place and our terms on the PTSO ended, we missed each other.
In time someone came up with the bright idea of forming a book club! We are all bright, thoughtful, well-read women — it was a natural. Plus, we love to eat and chat. For about three years we met fairly regularly.
Then life changed for many of us. Some changes were those in the natural course of life – children off to college, our parents needing our time and care. And some changes were the sort that each of us dreads – illness, divorce, overwhelming sorrows.
While we were a serious book club at the beginning, after a while the book talk lasted about 20 minutes each time we met, as catching up on each other’s news became more important and lasted two to three hours. For our final gatherings, we wouldn’t even bother to read a book! We just wanted to be together. So, we’d talk about books we were reading, mixed and mingled with girl talk – our children, our mothers, menopause. And we’d laugh, a lot.
I think it’s been nearly two years since the group has met. But I’m sure we’ve all kept our “Book Club” email group in our contact lists. And today, I pulled up my list and sent an email to them, telling them about my book, with the hope of enticing them out into the winter cold some night soon for shared company, shared food, and lots of hugs.
My day has been sprinkled with delightful replies to my email. Like springtime bulbs breaking through the soil, each of the women has popped up in my inbox with a message that matches the color of her personality. And with great excitement we are tossing out potential dates for our gab fest, er, book discussion.
It looks as if we will be meeting again, and soon. I cannot wait! Yay!
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