I've had it all along

I started a book club. We've read one book and met just a few nights ago at my house. We read The Secret Life of Bees. A real good book to start with; It has great writing, symbolism, things to think about for discussion and it's basically a girl book. It just so happens that only females are in the book club as well. Anyway, as we were talking about the story and the interaction of its characters, we focused in on the Daughters of Mary and the celebrations these women had - how they would dress up, sing, dance, eat, laugh, and love together. I remember as I read about these women, how I admired their closeness and how I wished to have that kind of passion in my life as well. I sometimes feel like Lily, an outsider looking in at established groups of women hoping to be invited so that I can fit in, belonging somewhere, belonging to someone. When we were talking in book club I said something to the fact that I wished to have the same kind of relationship with a group of women. Not really much else was said about that topic and we went on to other parts of the book.

Last night I had a few of my friends over for a few drinks and then we went to see Mamma Mia! (the movie - the stage show will be coming to Milwaukee this fall). First I need to say how much I love Abba songs. I did not know what the story was about ahead of time. Again, I was given many images on the big screen of groups of women who have an immense closeness that they just break into song and dance at the drop of a hat (actually, I really loved that about the movie). As we were leaving the movie, one of my friends (who was also at book club the night before) brought up what I had said about my desire in being a part of a close knit group and related it to the movie.

And then this morning, as I was riding my bike with Kim (oh, we hit the 20 mile mark...we biked from Kohler to Plymouth and back) we were singing Abba songs and just talking and then we were just riding without talking. When it was quiet, I was doing quite a bit of thinking and this is what I came up with.

I have that. I have what I was wishing for. It's just that we don't wear frilly and decorative hats. We don't do the conga while dancing around a statue of Mary. We don't dress in crazy clothes and put on shows singing Abba songs (however, I might try to convince Jenny, Sarah, Tina or Cat to do something like that for the annual food drive assembly that our school does every year...I think it is just crazy enough to be a blast). I have a lot of "daughters of Mary" groups in my life. I have my biking buddy, Kim. I have my friends at work who will try being a part of a book club. I have my friends at work who like doing a girls' nite out. I have my friends in Kohler who will also try being a part of a book club. I have my friends who will come and celebrate my birthday or my husband's campaign when we have a party. I have friends that feel free to ask favors of me and know that I love to help. I have friends where I can be the one asking for help and they are there for me. I have Sarah, who will get happy about our schedules matching so we can have lunch together for the next school year. I have my friends that get together and we scrapbook on a Friday night or a weekend event. I have my sister, my mom, my grandmother and my wonderful, amazing daughter.

I don't know what I was wanting...I think I just needed to open my eyes.