On the Down Side of Midnight

Last night a group of friends gathered to celebrate the birthday of my best friend, Valerie. As Valerie, Karen F., Shirley, Shauna, and I sat at a round table, I would be safe to caption our time as: The Night of the Round Table. However, looking at each woman individually, I would boldly say that we all could be called "knights" with earned seats at that clrcle of honor, all having fought dragons and evil rulers and their servants in service to our High King.

When was the last time at a girls' night out that the question was asked: What piece of advice and what warning would you give about living in this world to someone younger than you? As we all toasted Valerie's health and continued journey upon her path toward Bravery and Truth, we asked one another those questions--and the answers were richer fare than the Italian dishes we were eating.

Karen said, "You can run, but you can't hide." Friends and Neighbors, and Visitors to my Neighborhood: Words cannot convey more truth than these. Right on, Sistah! One cannot speak like this unless she has experienced it for herself. As we are learning with our present political situation, you best go with someone who has lived through the storm/battle/crisis/life-sucking monster attack, instead of one who has either heard of such things or has enough information to make a damned fool of himself and of anyone who follows a leader who has only heard stories, but never lived them himself.

Shauna said, "Life is too short to be too serious," or something to that effect. Nothing overt about knightship or battle or enemies at first light, but upon further unfirling, we were still all under the same Flag: God gave His Israelties many feasts to rejoice in His care and provision, and then to celebrate for several days with family and close friends. Our holidays are not too much like those feasts because usually we are wondering how in the hell we are going to survive being around family members who hate us or degrade us or ignore us. I think Shauna is on to something: Time to declare a new Party with stated Rules of Engagement, instead of those unspoken ones that are like arrows shot from a hidden archer--they come out of nowhere but will rip through your flesh and heart like a razor.

Since it is so late, I think I'll add more when I awaken on the upside of midday.

Good morning, Friends...Welcome to the Round Table where we have room for you to sit...and then pass the biscuits, please.