of Pride and Prejudice...

A perfect weekend was planned by my book club. A river-side B & B in a classic period home, lunch at a fabulous restaurant, a 4:00 pm performance of Pride and Prejudice, and dinner at an even more fabulous restaurant...an hour or two to shop in a city bookstore...

And everything in me screamed against going. I don't like sharing a bathroom; I don't have the money for these restaurants; I've already seen the perfect stage adaptation of P & P, at Stratford...as the only owner of a van, I would have to be the driver...and my daughters need their Hallowe'en costumes and the bathroom still hasn't been painted...

I kept my mouth shut with pride and held my prejudices in abeyance, created a playlist on my iPod that nestled Coldplay next to Ella Fitzgerald, Rufus Wainwright next to Joni Mitchell, the Beatles next to Louis Armstrong, and packed my suitcase.

Under cold stars in our driveway, I sipped my coffee and greeted each member as she arrived...and by 6:45 a.m. we were on our way.

I truly love to feel the highway unrolling beneath my wheels. As the miles passed, the pleasant conversations and music did their duty...I could feel my spirit beginning to unfurl.

When our book club began 8 years ago, we were, for the most part, acquaintances. Within the world we have built together through our discussions of books, we have become deep friends.

I allowed myself to enjoy my friends and the spirit of our weekend. I could feel the shell of resentment I have been building for myself over the past few months crack and break away.

The inability to find a parking spot on the street in front of the restaurant turned into the discovery of a lovely boutique; the intimacy of sharing at the B & B led to a much needed mentoring; there was nothing in the weekend that was hollow or wrong...and I write this morning with the lightness of heart that comes from the secure knowledge that I have loving friends.

(And a new, hot pink cashmere jacket that I got half-price...and since I couldn't decide between two others, chose both.)

Some much-need renovation of my self has begun.