I just got home from having dinner with the other grief musketeers and Fearless Leader. We thought it would be nice to go out together to celebrate the last session of the grief support group.

I've known Fearless Leader for, hmmmm..., well I'm too lazy to look it up in my archives, but I think it's been about 8 months. I've only known my co-facilitators since the beginning of July; when this group started.

It feels as if I've known these women for a long time, but I really didn't know much about them at all. I felt that I knew their spirit, and I felt that I could predict how they'd feel about things, but I didn't know the little details that make up their lives. When we've seen each other up until now, it's been to either lead our groups or discuss our groups, there's never really been time for much more than that.

So, tonight we learned about each other.

I learned that I was the youngest of the group (although we're all within 10 years of each other), and the most newly married. I was amazed at the similar life path that one of the other musketeers and I have had. We were married to our first husbands the same age, divorced our first husband the same age and married our second husband AT THE SAME AGE! We both raised two children as single women from the time they were six and eight until they moved out of the house.

What are the odds, really?

I suppose that it shouldn't be such a surprise that the four of us seem to have such a bond and commonality with each other. Since most people wouldn't be drawn to Hospice work, it would make sense that we have a similar mind set and a similar view on life. What would surprise people is the WICKED sense of humor emanating from the four women around the table. Our bond is grief and bereavement, yet we were doubled over in fits of laughter most of the evening.

It's been an honor to serve with these women and I look forward to the next time that the Three Musketeers and Fearless Leader ride together again.