When You’re Invited, Show Up!

Half of life is showing up.  Even when you don’t feel like it.  Even when you’re in a bad mood.  Even when you feel like staying home.  I’m always glad when I decide to show up.  Especially when it’s girls’ night out.
This past Monday, I got home from work, and boy was I in a bad mood.  As the only person in my household who actually had to work on President’s Day, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.  Plus, the laundry wasn’t done, the house was a mess, and the kids were more difficult than usual to put to bed.  And school was already cancelled for Tuesday because of another snow storm.

When 9:00 p.m. rolled around, the last thing I felt like doing was going out.  Then the phone ran.  I had almost forgotten – it was girls’ night out, and my neighbors on Henthorn Road were gathering across the street.  They started leaving me messages on the answering machine.

Susan, where are you?  We’re all waiting for you to get here.

At first, I ignored the messages.  Then the phone rang again.

Doug was starting to get annoyed.  Why do they keep calling?  Don’t they know you have young kids in bed?

I took one look at him, put my snow boots on, and headed out the front door.  Who cares if I had a bad day.  It was time to have some fun!

First, you have to understand my neighbors.  (Little did I know when I moved in for the schools and property values that I would be joining the rowdiest bunch of women in town!)  We’re of all ages and stages.  Single.  Divorced.  Married.  Widowed.  Mothers.  Grandmothers.  Empty nesters. Empty nesters with children reinvading the nest. 

But we have one thing in common – a zany spirit of friendship and fierce loyalty to one another.

What happens on Henthorn Road stays on Henthorn Road.  Yes, we’re known to play the music a little loud.  Yes, our dancing and singing is known to disturb the peace.   Yes, we’re known to stay out a little late, even on a Monday night.  Yes, we’re even known to tackle each other in the snow when a friend tries to leave the party early.

When I finally got home Monday night, I was in a really good mood.  I knew I had to get up early for work the next morning, but I didn’t care.  Girls’ night out was just what I needed.

The lesson for today is, when you’re invited, show up.  Even when you don’t feel like it. 
Some of you need to get out this weekend!