our book club, it is a life saver...

When Benny and I retired and moved up here to Oklahoma, I had no idea how the move combined with 'empty nest' would affect me personally.  I knew the kids would be going off to college, and I was excited for them, but man did it throw me for a loop.  The house was in turmoil because of renovations, it was record breaking heat I was unprepared for and my church family and very best friends were down south, so very far away.  Being new to the area, I had lost most of my support system.  I was overwhelmed and so very lonely.  It was horrible.  So...I joined a book club.

I heard about this group from some ladies at church.  I knew I needed to get involved and meet some new friends, so I asked one of the gals if I could attend the next meeting.  I remember getting the book and reading it over the weekend so I would be prepared, I wanted to be prepared, I wanted to be included.  I remember telling one of the girls that joining that book club saved my life.  Benny and were going out and seeing the sights of Tulsa and Route 66, but I realize how much I rely on that community spirit, of being part of a group.  I missed having girlfriends.  It means so much to connect with others, as moms, daughters, wives.  We do read the books and discuss what we liked and disliked about a certain book, but a lot of the time we just enjoy getting together and being girls.

We meet once a month for book club, but we also get together to see a movie or go out to lunch.  It's fun to read the book, then go see the movie.  We did that for "The Help", that was a lot of fun.  We have a name for our book club, we are 'Between the Wines Bristow Book Club.'  We have read some very good books, and we have read some that are not so good.  This past year we seemed to have gotten, I don't want to use the word stuck, but let's just say there was a recurring theme of living through the Nazi regime. In addition to that, throw in a tragic genre of the likes of Anna Quindlen and pretty soon we were all depressed.  I think the icing on the cake was reading "Unbroken" by Laura Hildebrand.  It was excellent, one you couldn't put down, but it was such a hard read.  I mean what that man went through, unbelievable.  Not all of the books are as difficult, but I honestly believe the books we have read over the years have offered us some insight into life and connections, history and lessons learned.  We all enjoy sharing the books we have come across.  In fact I will read a book and think, so and so would enjoy this, or this is the book I would choose for next years reading.

So if you find yourself overwhelmed, feeling lonely, stuck in a rut...join a book club, or start one.  You will be so glad you did.  There are some very good books just waiting to be shared and enjoyed.  Thanks ladies, you saved my life.