A LOVELY BUNCH OF COCONUTS

I take aquatic classes at the local YMCA Monday-Fridays. I have been doing this for over 3 years and have been in the same group of woman, give or take a couple. Our classes can go as high as 20 people and as low as 6 people. But the one steadfast factor in our classes is that they consist of basically the same women.

Generally when you put that many women together in a setting or even a few women in a setting, feathers can fly. Not to betray my gender, but I will be the first to admit that women have a tendancy to get petty and tend to gossip or belittle or backbite in such a group. I can honestly say in all the time I have spent with these women, none of the typical female pettiness has reared its ugly head.

We not only spend time together in the pool, but also on a social basis. We go out for lunch once a month, visit each other in our homes, make contact over the phone, etc. When a spouse dies, the others are there for the widow or widower to lend support and love. When someone is dealing with a problem, the others are there to help if they can or at least listen. When something good happens to a member of the group, the others rejoice. In my own personal experience with this group, I had 2 friends come to help with my dog when I was in the hospital, one even spending the nights here until I was discharged.

So what separates this group of women from other groups? I am not really sure...I guess you could say we are just blessed. The personalities click, we all seem to have common ground, we all feel comfortable with each other, etc. I guess we feel free to just be ourselves without fear of critism or ridicule. If you doubt that last remark, join us one day in the pool and see how silly we can get....how we can be kids again, everyone joins in, and no one laughs us.

It is a good group, one of which has become an extended family for all those involved. One that we look forward to being with. One that makes us want to be on our best behavior as women and leave all the typical feminine pettiness behind. Of all the things that have come into my life, this group is one of the biggest blessings. I have never been involved with any group where you could just enjoy being with it and just enjoy being silly when the opportunity arises.

So as the old song goes, ".....what a lovely bunch of coconuts". (play today's jukebox pick to hear the full song) Would any of the group be offended by me referring to them as a coconut? Heck no! That's because we are who we are and have no shame in admitting it!

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: If you ordered a "cluck and grunt" at a 1950's diner, what would you have ordered? Egg and bacon
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Fill in the blank in this song "Please turn on your magic beam, _____ _____ bring me a dream."
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?