Today as I type this I am smiling a secret smile. As I cook the family dinner, I smile. As I tidy up or listen to my crew arguing, I smile.
No one sees my smile. Nor do they see me look at the clock regularly. On occasions, the secret smile breaks out, and for a moment is there for all to see, before I quickly manage to hide it once more.
What is the reason for this secret happiness you ask?
Well tomorrow at lunch time, along with five great friends, I am off for a girls night away. Today as I cook dinner, or tidy up, I look at the clock and my mind wanders…. this time tomorrow.
What have we planned?
Well that would be telling. Suffice to say there will be a lot of laughing, definitely some fancy eating, and maybe even some drinking!
As I sit here tonight I think how very lucky I am to have the fantastic friends I have in my life.
Over the years I have had friends who shared my sadness when my Dad became sick and died. They consoled me and cared for me, and helped me sit my exams a few weeks later.
Then I married and moved away, but thankfully I met new friends. Friends who shared my life during the difficult, lonely days of early motherhood. Who were there to wait with me, when family members became sick, and celebrate when they recovered. Friends who have shared the ups and downs of everyday life, over the past many years.
These were the friends who also shared the desperate sadness of the past year with me. Who texted me day and night to let me know they were there, and who have genuinely felt some of my grief.
Tomorrow night, these same friends will be by my side once more. We have shared enough sadness. Tomorrow night we will share a much anticipated night of laughter, fun and maybe even song. We will forget about our everyday troubles, and we will celebrate.
We will celebrate friendship. We may even celebrate it more than once!
photo credit: dMadPhoto via photopin cc
My thoughts on a page. 
Enjoy your time with so good friends Tric 😀
Thanks a million Irene. I am sure we’ll have a great night.
I’m so pleased you have the support of good friends; everyone needs a sympathetic ear.
Yes my friends have been there on so many occasions. Tomorrow it will be lovely to have a happy night together.
have the gardai been tipped off about this planned get-together of 5
inebriatedhigh-spirited women out to enjoy themselves? 😆Ha ha. Thats why the smile is secret. All hush hush. And don’t forget there is five plus myself, unless of course you knew I’d be the sensible one! 🙂
Have fun!
Thanks I ticked that box. 🙂
I expect you will be reporting back with pictures to prove how quiet all six of you behaved??
Think my camera was playing up!!
New fangled technology eh! Can’t beat the old Kodak Brownie – my vintage –
Ooh I’m jealous! Have fun, I think I will be calling my friends and planning a girls night for us, it’s been a long time coming 😉
I’m back and I can highly recommend a girls night out. Go for it. 🙂
yay, enjoy every minute of it tric, you’ve earned it )
Thanks Beth. I did. I hope you are doing likewise with your visitors.
What can I say but enjoy yourself 😜
We definitely did that. Glad you and your camera weren’t around. 🙂
I think we’ll hear you having fun from here. Have a great time!
Thanks MM. We did. I hope you are doing okay.
Nothing like time away with good friends 🙂 enjoy!!!
Thanks Naomi. Time away with the girls is great. Lots of laughing and fun. Home again, but perhaps batteries not exactly fully charged!
Good for you! Everyone deserves a girl’s night out! I don’t do the “bar thing” or “drink” alcohol, but I do like to get with the girls. You will usually find us eating lunch out together, or sewing or scrapbooking at each other’s homes. As you stated so clearly – lots of fun, laughter and celebration! Supportive husbands who allow such things are to be applauded and the ones that aren’t ought to be hung at high noon!
LOL
“Allow” is probably the wrong word. Mine “encourages” and “supports” me in all my girly endeavors. I love that he is “secure” enough to do so and respects and trusts me enough to not worry.
I know exactly what you mean. I am lucky to have a man who is happy to see me go off to enjoy time with the girls. It was a lovely break, and a time for us all to catch up. Where would we be without our girlfriends.
Wonderful post and have fun, Tric! There is nothing like good friends! 🙂
Thanks. This gang are great friends. We had a great time.
Good to hear! Happy 4th! 🙂
Atta girl, Tric. Cheers from across the pond!
Thanks Cookie. As we say over here, “we had great craic”. I’d say you’d be a good woman to enjoy a night away too. Hope your two little ones are well.