My Joy Luck Club

Friends often ask me how I find the time to do all this…this referring to working full time, commuting, parenting two children, working on paintings, blogging, reading fiction at a rate of two or three books a month, cooking interesting food, remaining happily married.

To answer that, on the eve of my 34th birthday, I have to say that writing these posts is helping me string things together. It allows me to connect the mother, the artist, the woman, the worker bee, the reader, the Jesus-follower, the “someday” writer, and to check in to see if I still have a soul at the end of the day.

A recent lunchroom discussion led me to try to identify what must be left out in all this busyness. I think the number one thing that is neglected (after exercise) is relationship.

Ever since I read the Joy Luck Club a few years ago, I wished again that I had that close-knit group. Even if you haven’t read it, you know who I’m talking about – the friends of Friends, the women of Sex and the City, the pals of Seinfeld.

So as a sort of new year’s birthday resolution, I want to venture toward finding my Joy Luck Club. My tribe. My kindred spirits.

What will this look like? I don’t expect it will involve long formal games of mahjong, or meeting daily in a local cafe – not in this sprawling metropolis. It may look something like a book club, nothing to stringent, gathering every six-to-eight weeks. Taking turns picking the book, and if you haven’t read it yet, come and find out why you should. Or perhaps some of us will want to share writing, or we’ll have an art 101 night. Or games.

I’m looking forward to what this year holds, and look forward to deepening some friendships. Also looking forward to my first art exhibit, and growing other aspects of my life: becoming more thankful, more joyful, and writing more thought-provoking things.