The Women's Auxiliary

On Friday evening I got together with seven women friends that I haven't played with in some time. One of us was missing, on a trip to Ireland. But with eight out of nine of us together, I realized how much I had been missing their company. This is a group of women who I "party" with. It's not a "spiritual" group with any sort of "higher cause" and we don't tend to often talk of anything very deep and meaningful when we are all together. Rather we eat, drink, laugh and crack jokes.

We originally dubbed ourselves "The Pool Girls", as we would meet every Monday night at the best of our local dive bars, a wonderful little Irish Pub, were we would drink, chat,play pool and often organize an upcoming party or event.

Most of our husbands or significant others are musicians who are in bands together so we are often the organizers for benefits and celebrations where one or another of their bands are playing. At one point we were dubbed "The Women's Auxiliary" by one of the particularly often, cranky band members who referred to us with that moniker in a rather unappreciative spirit, but no matter, we rallied to the cause and took ownership of the name with pride.

The "Women's Auxiliary", has never had any lofty goals, we just organically evolved into tight group of friends who kinda just fell into putting a significant amount of time, energy and effort into creating a slew of lovely and successful events for not only ourselves, our family and friends, but also for our whole community. Some of us were more naturally the movers and shakers, the key organizers and leaders of the group who are good at delegating duties to the willing others of us, and as a whole we've done a fine job of working together, being there for each other as well as friends in need, and most of all, creating beautiful times with lots of love shared all around. The Women's Auxiliary rocks!

In a little while Jerry leave for another such party. This one is rather low-key (probably only 50 or so people) and there was no work or organizing except on the part of our one sweet friend who is hosting the party. I'm sure that preparing for this get-together has been difficult for her. It's the first gathering she's had since our dear friend John LaPado died in December when she was immersed in the events (inner and outer) surrounding his death and then his memorial in January. We are off on a stroll down Bittersweet Lane.