* We really don’t care what other people think anymore. As older women we have earned the right to act and dress as we choose.

* We each have something pierced. (Pierced ears are OK, but must contain a really ugly pair of earrings. Faked piercings are also acceptable.)

* Nothing serious can be discussed at our meetings. At our age we deserve the right to laugh a lot and exercise our ability to forget the things we choose to forget. It is therefore OK to retell the same jokes at each meeting – we won’t remember them anyway! Each person is encouraged to forget that she has problems.

* Door prizes will be awarded for the most original “piercing” and the best joke. (Obviously, nothing indecent is acceptable.)

* Meetings are whenever we choose to have them because we just want to get together with friends and laugh.

© 2003 by Susan Gaddis