Sharon Lacey [5],
Portland comedian
A funny thing happened on the road to dementia Part 4
I was on my way to a gig in Montana, when I got a text message from a girlhood friend who lives in Spokane. She was throwing a party in honor of one of our other childhood friends.
I thought it’d be fun to get together with women I hadn’t seen since high school — until I found out it was a pool party. Suddenly, all my insecurities about my body came rushing back. It didn’t matter that I’m a grown woman who can get up on stage and tell jokes to hundreds of strangers every night. There was no way in hell I was going to be caught dead wearing a swimsuit in front of Cheerleader Staci with her perfect, perky little body, or Boy-Magnet Brenda with her sexy boobs, or Creamy Complexion Chrissy, who never had a zit in her life.
I was so scared to go, that I showed up late. Cheerleader Staci’s husband greeted me at the door. “Where’s your suit???! Everybody’s in the pool!!”
“Uhhhh, I don’t think I’ll be putting on a swimsuit…”
I dragged myself out to the pool……where they ALL looked just like ME – flaws and all! Amazing!! I put on my suit and jumped in – and had the best time I’ve ever had with these Girlfriends!
Middle age: The Great Equalizer!!
— In a dual attempt to fend off Alzheimer’s and fulfill a lifelong dream, Sharon Lacey quit her 23 year career as a teacher and hit the road doing standup comedy. Sometimes the moments in between shows are the most memorable.