Photoessay #2851 - Playing poker

So our Inner Circle group has been taken as just so many gals coming over to play poker.

I really would like to salute the memory of Yvonne S, partner of April who has faithgfully acted as Yvonne's caretaker during the year of her illness.  Yvonne passed away just a week ago today.

Sometimes she asked April why she had all those women coming over playing poker.  That was us!  We did come over and we ate a bunch of food and read our writing aloud.  This Inner Circle group, women of a certain age,originally met as members of a Guided Autobiography class 2 1/2 years ago.  Now it's a personal support group that does some writing on the side.

April wanted us to come over and have our group meeting, even Sally who lives quite a distance away.  We all came.  We had been meeting at Third Place Books but, as Yvonne's condition worsened, we started meeting at April's house.

So we met today.  Only Karen had a piece of writing.  Some anger against doctors came out.  April was angry at the doctor who told Yvonne only had six months left, over six years ago.  Sarah was mad at the doctors who did not pay enough attention to diagnose her husband's serious back condition.  And April was angry at Yvonne for abandoning her.  Yes, we've all been angry at those closest to us for dying, for leaving us behind.

But we also laughed and toasted Yvonne.  And ate a bunch of leftover xmas goodies.  We'll meet again in two weeks.