When I was little I couldn't understand why older ladies felt the need to go out together for lunch --- especially when I didn't get to go with them

For the May 10th, 2025 Tabernacle Choir Emeritus Ladies Luncheon, many of us retired singers got to be together for a brief time. A lot of that time was spent hugging, laughing, and singing together. Not quite the same as singing together in the Tabernacle Choir, but delightful still.
We all wore name tags that also included the dates we sang in the choir. That really helped. As we age, hair colors and styles change. Who knew so many of us would go grey or white? (I guess that's normal, but it makes it harder to recognize people.) We get wrinkles, too. Not what any of us wanted. Our voices may show wear and tear, as well. But as we sang together, somehow the sound was still beautiful.
The noise in the room got louder and louder as we were visiting and laughing and hugging for the hour before the luncheon. I felt sorry for this one lady who looked very lost. She was struggling to be able to discern conversations. She was also having trouble finding anyone who had served in the choir during her time that she might remember. No wonder, she joined the choir in 1968 and left in 1971. And when she joined, she was only 17. There really weren't many left from that era, if any. (In those days the minimum age limit of 25 years old was not yet enforced.)
This was not a time for much in depth conversation. We could barely hear the "Hello! How are you" greetings above the din. But, we knew that we treasured the shared memories that were brought back into focus from being together again. So we whipped out our phones and took pictures.
Good times. Great memories. Lovely ladies who lunch...
"Come All Ye Saints Who Dwell on Earth" SSAA and SSATB