When my kids were little, I didn’t work outside the home, but most of my friends did work outside the home.
At that time in my life, I would have loved to have had a core coffee group like the one I want to tell you about.
More than 50 years of talking has kept this group together. The "Coffee Club" as they call themselves is a group of about six women who include; Eileen Lysne, my mother-in-law, Lola Wood, Priscilla Golly, Lydia Clingman, Marilyn Glowac and Marie Barr. There are a few others who occasionally join the group for coffee.
The club, which meets for an hour each Monday morning, graciously invited me to join in any time I want to. A couple of weeks ago, I met with them to learn about how this group got started.
How it all began
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The club started as a craft club, made up of women who attended Fellowship United Methodist Church, which closed in August 2010. The women met in the homes of some of the club members when member Helen Faas, now deceased, taught craft projects to the club members.
Members told me about all the projects they made over the years.
"I still have the green burlap Christmas trees we made one year," said Eileen.
Other members describe the hundreds of May baskets the club used to make and sell at the annual Spring Fair held at Fellowship United Methodist.
Seasons of life
When the club first began, most of the women had small children and did not work outside the home, so the club provided a social outlet for the women.
As their children got older, the group members provided comfort and encouragement for each other while they were all raising their teenage children.
When their children left home, some of the women found employment to help pay for their children’s college expenses.
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"There were a few years when many of us were not able to meet anymore because of our jobs, but eventually we all retired and now we are all back together again," Eileen said.
Why they stay together
"This group is important to me because we are always here for each other," said Priscilla.
Marie reflected on how the group members have helped each other through difficult times when some of them have lost their spouses or had a spouse who was ill.
Today, much of their conversation centers on their children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
They all agree there are no plans to discontinue meeting because it’s just too much fun.
Through the years, I have had the opportunity to join the coffee group a couple of times.
It is heartwarming to hear the stories of these women. Together they have celebrated many joys in their lives, but they have also been there for each other in times when good friends are needed the most.
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I think this quote from "The Power of A Positive Friend" by Karol Ladd and Terry Ann Kelly sums up the Coffee Club.
"Friendships between women are not simply about wonderful, enriching conversations; they’re about enjoying life together."
