my never-boring friends

My mom has been playing Canasta for years. My sister too.

They both love it, and regularly meet with the same group of girls (that's what they call themselves, not women, and I like that).

So last year, seven of us ex-Horace Mann moms take lessons, and later form a weekly game. We've been playing every Monday since October. 

This photo is from another event and includes all of us but one.










This same group of women has been celebrating each others' birthdays with nice dinners. We've been doing this for so long now that I cannot remember when this tradition even started.

In other words, we have all been friends for a long time. And, we all really really like each other.

We are a smart, spirited, vocal group.

Some of our birthday celebrations have been memorable — as much for the warmth and camaraderie, as for the unrestrained arguments.

One birthday dinner ended with one person walking out before appetizers were even served.

Another involved all seven of us walking out before appetizers were served and then having to find another restaurant that could accommodate us on the spot.

And before Trump, there were big, boisterous battles between the Republicans and Democrats among us. Now our politics are more aligned.

But in the end, our disagreements never last beyond the final good-night.

So I guess we should have realized that the dynamics of our dinners would be the same over a weekly game of cards.

Our first conflict started with the instructor. We all loved her but some of us didn't want to keep paying for her services and others did. That argument eventually ended in a nice compromise. As of January 1, we've been teacher-less.

Then there were a few words spoken when one player tried to coach her partner. I think that happened multiple times (when we were learning) among different players.

And today, two very good friends get into it over the rules — one likes following them and knows them well and the other one prefers to ignore the rules she disagrees with.

Our games are long, never dull, and in the end, always gratifying. 

Just like our friendships.