The Ladies of Peace, by Laurie Smith, 2003

Sitting around the beautifully appointed table, complete with linen napkins, lace doilies, sparkling crystal, and gleaming silver, sit the ladies of Peace. Collectively they possess centuries of experience, memories and wisdom.

These are the women who lived, loved, and fought their way through the horrors and miracles of the past century. These are the women from a time when gloves and hats, matching shoes and handbag, were necessary to complete one's ensemble. These are the women from a time of grace and style, when each kind of entertaining required its own special trappings. These ladies are what remains of a different time, a time of quiet, behind the scenes strength.

Among the others at the table, we see Evelyn chatting quietly with Irene. Evelyn, at 92, is fiercely independent. She drives herself to church each Sunday and always is bright and chipper when she arrives. It wouldn't be a wonder, however, if she were to arrive bitter and withdrawn. Evelyn has watched as the bulk of her family has been buried long before their time. Yet week after week, she appears, happy to greet all whom she encounters.

Irene, at 89, wears many hats. She is wife, aunt, friend, but never mother. She possesses a sharp mind, a naturally inquisitive nature and a love of people, their company and the events of their lives. As she recounts the tale of her latest health issue, she states that she should have been dead years ago. This is a testament to her incredible life force. Evelyn tells her, "Well, you still have work to do." A truth all the ladies recognize.

Lucille and Lily ask Gladys about her daughter. Gladys has endured much raising her children on a small farm along the banks of the Rock River. She is unassuming to the casual observer, a diligent worker to those beside whom she has toiled, and a bit adventuresome to those who care to ask. Now she struggles to stand on the sidelines and watch as the ravages of MS strip her oldest daughter of her health, her vitality, her dignity.

Lucille is a retried teacher who, at 80, is in possession of a rapidly failing body, but an unfailing mind. She loves to speak of many things: her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, what's happening in education and seniors' rights today, and music.

Lily lives alone and some would say "rightfully so" or "small wonder." But Lily is the picture of lonely. Beneath her crotchety outward persona lies a painfully shy woman whose days are spent waiting for visitors to come and listen to stories of her children, long since grown and gone.

Standing in the shadows, mere wisps of memory, are the members who are gone. The knowledge of a life well lived gently lifts the comers of their mouths. Their hands rest lightly, reassuringly on the shoulders of the friends who now occupy their seats.

Gladys is there, the blessed soul of Peace. Gladys, who never uttered unkind or negative words. Gladys, who spent her time here personifying the call to live a Christian life. Gladys, who always saw and commented on the positive, the up beat, the possibilities. She teaches the ladies to see God in all whom they encounter.

With Gladys are Mae and Amanda who were 95 and 100 respectively and still living in their own homes and driving themselves to church. These ladies were sisters, back-door neighbors, best friends, solid rocks. They aided each other and laughed and cried their way through life, always together. They teach the ladies to rely on one another.

Harriet is also there. While on Earth, she was the heart and soul of her family and the glue that provided the bond. She was industrious and philanthropic always, despite her husband's complaints. She never let an opportunity pass to share a compliment with someone. She teaches the ladies to live with a generous spirit.

Waiting to join the ladies at the table are the movers and shakers of today's Peace. They plan, organize, prepare and implement the many facets of church life. They prepare and serve the meals, they raise the funds for special projects, they handle the day-to-day needs of the congregation and the facility. And they wait. They observe and they learn. They admire, emulate and are entertained, while marveling at the tenacity of the grande dames who, in a very ladylike way, sip, nibble and preside.

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