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
