My Golden Girls

What makes you laugh?

My oldest friends.

Because we live so far apart since I moved to the West of Ireland, we only get to meet up a few times a year.

Our time together is always fun and laughter. If you’re Irish, you’ll know what I mean by banter and good ole slagging.

If you’re not Irish, it means we mildly insult each other in a way that’s not taken seriously. We have a line we don’t cross. And if sometimes that line gets smudged, we acknowledge it, apologise without drama, and begin again. We laugh with each other about ourselves, our problems, and our habits.

Some might say that this kind of behaviour comes with age, but I disagree, because we’ve been like this since the beginning. (30+ years)

Humour is important and can be the best antidote for all sorts of problems. It helps us to see things in a more positive light. That’s what my experiences have taught me anyway.

My friends and I can have heart-to-hearts and important conversations, but we always end on a high note! 

I think a lot of it has to do with how we accept each other – flaws and all. None of us are perfect and none of us are the same. We share some traits but the best thing we all have in common is our sense humour!

A recent trip to Torrevieja. Unfortunately, one link in the Golden Girl Chain couldn’t make it – Roza! “Next time, Bridie!”

Nurse

Daily writing prompt
When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a nurse. I think it was a profession many little girls aspired to. We all had little nurse’s uniforms and medical bags.

When I was about ten or eleven, we went to Dublin to visit our cousins. My eldest cousin, Mary, was sitting at big table surrounded by books – big books in my little eyes. Mary was in the middle of her general nurse training.

My mother said to me, ‘That’s what you’ll have to do to become a nurse.’ That was the end of that dream for me!

Honestly, I don’t think I would have been cut out for it anyway. I’m too queasy when it comes to blood and pain.

And all the boys aspired to be cowboys and indians.

Happy Camper

Daily writing prompt
You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?

Some day I will have my own little camper. I don’t want anything too big and clunky because I want to use it for day trips to the beach or to the mountains. So my initial obsession with a full-on camper van has worn off.

Welcome to my new obsession. These little camping trailers look absolutely fabulous.

I have visions of myself heading off with one of these in tow. With Stephen and Lucy, or even by myself for a day at the beach with my writing paraphernalia and of course my writing buddy, Cotton.

Well… you gotta have a dream and a goal!