The Art of Being Single On A Friday Night

I never would have thought that what has become my Friday night ritual would be considered "normal" in the life of a single woman. Most Fridays, I am showered and in my jammies by seven o'clock, either watching t.v. or reading. Granted, this is all new to me. The last time I was single was twenty nine years ago. I suddenly feel like Dorthy-Gale-From-Kansas, thrust into a world filled with the "unknowns". This was not a life that I chose. I had expected to be married "Always & Forever". (Blech!) Shit happens. Things change, and now I am living life as a "single woman", like it or not.

Being single, coupled with being "middle-aged" is not exactly a "prize" on the single-forefront. I am NOT out on a man-hunt, let's get that straight right off the bat! In the short time that I have been divorced, I have discovered that I do NOT need a man to "complete" me. But, last night I realized that I have fallen into a rut. It starts with a call from my cherished friend, Betty after supper time. I hear her belly-laughing before she even asks the question, "So what are YOU doing this lovely Friday night?!" We both roar with laughter knowing full well that neither one of us have anything exciting planned. I tell her, "Well, you know it is pitiful when I caught myself thinking, there is that nice bottle of Red Zin in the fridge that is unopened, I think I will have a glass. Then, on second thought, you realize that since you are not a lush who can polish off the bottle solo, you also cannot stand the bottle upright on the door of the fridge and you can't risk having the wine leak out onto one of the shelves." THAT, my single friends, is pitiful. (Oh! Don't act like it has never happened to you!) I guess a solution to that would be to buy those single teeny bottles with a screw cap, but, screw that! I am not going to sacrifice having the vino I want on something that I do not want.

We can joke around about how boring life can be. Being alone takes alot of getting used to. I miss the friends that I have left behind apres la divorce. We are talking decades full of shared laughter, tears, and fun that are distant, yet cherished memories. I was not ready for that. Thank God we all stay in touch and we are only a four hour drive away from each other. But, I have grown accustomed to Betty's weekly Friday night calls to joke around and make fun at our lack of fun Friday night activities. This is like the polar opposite of Sex-In-The-City. It keeps us laughing and there is a kinship in knowing that no matter what, we will ALWAYS have each other. We don't need no stinkin' men to fill our lives, and we are strong, loving and fun women who are there for each other through thick and thin, and that makes me smile. Distance may have been thrust between us, but AT&T keeps us together!

My new single life, though lonely at times, is still more cherished than the other alternative. And, akin to my taste in fine wines, I will not "settle" for anything less should "Mr. Right" waltz into my life. Us single women have to stick together to raise our confidences, lend support when needed, and to remind each other that we are never alone. That, my dears, is what life is all about....true friendship and making new memories! Thanks, Betty for helping me to "keep it real"...LOVE YOU!