These Women Who Make Me Laugh

Things are still pretty blegh here.  Jack had his MRI and the doc wants him to see a surgeon.  We are waiting for them to call with an appointment.  Limbo.  Never ending limbo in which Jack still can't feel his leg and sleeps in the recliner and his level of crabbiness signals the amount of pain he is in.

But things aren't all blegh, largely to the circle of women I have come to love here.  These women are strong, smart, and funny .  .  . And they let me be one of the cool kids with them.

Last week one of the ringleaders organized a wine and canvas night at an art studio/store in Lawton.  Over  the summer we have lounged by the pool, went for dinner, had movie nights - we always have a good time what ever it is.  We talk and laugh.  We talk about the serious and the ludicrous.  Nothing is taboo.  Perhaps the conversation is about someone's grandma with Alzheimer's . . . or maybe it is about quiche.  Doesn't matter.  The good and the bad, it's all there.

This time was different - not only did we have the therapy of laughter and  fellowship, but we had art.  The more we painted our crazy, beautiful owls, the quieter we got, drawn into the swirls of color on our canvases.  We had a little wine, a bit of fruit and cheese, some laughter . . . And something new.  We saw a creativity in ourselves that was refreshing.  I think we needed that therapy of laughter blended with quiet creativity.  We are beginning another 9 months of hard work and that night was a boost.

These women.  I am sure we don't all see eye to eye on religion or politics, but we have a common ground.  There is respect and admiration in my heart. I watch them raise children and love their husbands, teach their hearts out, walk in their faith, live gracefully through serious trials.  They know how to be women.