Recently, I was part of two groups of women, the Book Ends book club and a baby shower. Once upon a time, gatherings of ladies were referred to as ‘hen parties’. I suppose that term is outdated and I don’t know what’s in vogue now. When it’s all females, the conversation and the food are different. I was reminded how much I need that camaraderie.
The book club, a group of older women, meets the last Friday morning of each month to discuss the novel we’ve all just read. Several years ago, I joined the group to peruse books I wouldn’t otherwise select. I love to read, but my tastes have never run the same as other girls. Back when I attended a one-room, country school, we had the travelling library. Once a month, a man driving a pick-up truck exchanged the gray boxes packed with books. I always grabbed the Hardy Boy mysteries instead of Nancy Drew.
I can’t remember the last baby shower I attended. There was a time, they were a big part of my social life. Now, I’ll become the great-great-aunt of the expected young man.
Showers are such joyful occasions. The event is centered around the young woman who is proudly displaying her baby bump. Soon her discomfort will be behind her. I wonder how the phrase, “We are pregnant,” entered our vocabulary.
With today’s store registries, it’s easy for guests to shop and gift bags solve the wrapping problem. It’s part of the fun to watch the mother-to-be remove the paper and be enthused about diapers, pacifiers and tiny clothes.
We also had two women who are looking forward to becoming grandmothers. They will enjoy the growing child and leave the responsibilities to their son and daughter.
When’s the last time you were part of a group of women?
I really don’t remember when I was part of just a women’s group partly because I much prefer mixed groups, and partly because my interests put me with mixed groups. For example, my Dane County Area Genealogy Group, my Writing Group, and the several euchre groups that Sid and I play with each week are mixed. The exception is University League which has maybe two husbands, and the rest are all women.
It has been, at least 40 years ago that I attended a baby shower. Times change & so do we.