When Ladies Lunch

         We’re on spring break this week, and my fellow lunch ladies and I thought it would be fun if we went to lunch together.  Sort of a bus-man’s holiday, but we rarely get to chat uninterrupted by students who need change to use a vending machine or need to buy a bottle of water.  There were to be 11 of us, but 3 couldn’t make it so 8 of us took over a section of our local Panera Bread.  I’m not sure the gentleman who was having himself a nice quiet lunch in the corner prior to our arrival was happy about it, as it seemed that he began to eat a bit faster once more of us arrived.  It was nice, I got to know two of the ladies a little bit better, and being at the “head” of the table I was able to observe everyone.  It’s not an easy thing for that many women to work in a kitchen every day under time limitations and still manage to get along.  For the most part, though, we do quite nicely.  That’s not to say that there aren’t times when for one reason or another feelings are hurt, or there are small power struggles, but for the most part we are a harmonious eclectic group.  Various ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds keep things interesting when we do get to visit uninterrupted.  We are unified by motherhood, and as I sat there enjoying our time together I thought how very lucky we all are to be able to put aside any differences we may have during the work day and simply be ladies out for lunch.