we began as a mixed group

of teachers and parents

and

became friends

stayed friends

formed

a book club

had

passionate discussions

about books

but

over time

it became

challenging

to get

everyone

in one place

on a regular basis

for hours at a time

on the same night

so

one day

we had an idea

and

 decided

to meet

after work on fridays

at the end of each week

late in the afternoon

just for a bit

on a drop-in basis

whoever could make it was welecome

and we

talked about

books, life, family, loves, our news, the world

and we

listened

to each other

and

asked and answered questions

about things

in our lives

that made us happy

or

that made us sad

or

that we didn’t understand

or just

needed

to tell someone

and

wanted

the perspective

of others

we trusted

as we

shared our personal stories

and we

celebrated each other’s lives

and we all made a point

of being there

on a regular basis

and sometimes

husbands

 kids

dates

 visitors

popped in

and out

and soon

the books fell away

and

we met

just to

spend time together

so

one day

i had an idea

and

i gave us a name

on a shirt

as a christmas present

*h2.e.l.p.

*(happy hour extra large print)

book club 

of ann arbor

and to

make it official

and it seemed

just the right name

for us

for more than one reason

and

a couple of times

each year

we kick it up a notch

when

we go

on an

overnight adventure

to a local hotel

or a cottage on a lake

where it feels

so far away from it all

yet

they’re

just

a

few miles away

no husbands

no kids

no dates

no visitors

and

we stay up

most of the night

with food and drink

and music

sharing our stories

and

our own

good company

and

sometimes

we sneak into the pool or take a dip in the lake

for some

late night swimming

and play games

and

all sorts

of

other antics

and merry-making

happen

it’s a slumber party

of the highest order

after all

and

i may even suggest

that we

read a book

one day soon

one that

that has it all

romance, mystery, action and adventure, travel, suspense, humor, friendship

and no vampires

it’s one of my favorites

and

it’s sure to

inspire a passionate discussion

about its surprise ending

—

“the first rule of book club – is that nobody wants to talk about book club.”
― douglas lewis