By SUSAN DROMEY HEETER, Joyful MUsings

Wow. There is A LOT happening.  Mucho. But, let’s focus, Joyful Musers, on the really vital, imperative question of today: should I find out more about Judy?

First of all, Judy is someone I’ve been playing Words with Friends with for over seven years.  I do not know her last name, where she lives, her family or professional life.  All I know is that we are very well matched and play Scrabble or, as it’s known online, Words with Friends just about every day. I’ll put a word in while waiting in line at TJ Maxx; Judy and WwF joined me in Spain. I’ve played on beaches, on buses, while watching too much Netflix, while talking with my daughters.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for me to pause during a conversation, especially when I have the J or the Q to play my turn, “Is that Judy?” my family will ask.  And, well, of course, it is.

My daughters laugh at my online relationship – or, rather, non-relationship, insisting I should become friends with Judy, find out more about her, perhaps meet up.  I tell them I enjoy our Words with Friendship because it is a constant, it is simple, it is only about words and scores and delighting in a great use of X’s on the triple square. It is not about “How are you?” “Happy Birthday” “Let’s do lunch.”  It is simply letters, words, scores. In fact, as I write this column, Judy just played CHE, I utilized my Q and U to put down QUEY.  The score is 198 to 132; I’m winning.

There is something so calming and serene about keeping things simple, about not complicating a constant.  We play every day – including holidays, vacations, funerals, weddings.   At this moment in my life, I feel blessed with enough friends, family and colleagues to keep my life interesting and full.  Judy is simply that person who is there for a bit of a distraction, an intellectual pop, a great score or win.  I love Judy.

But, I do not feel the need to find out any more about her.

So, should she go, I’ll be distraught.  Judy is not necessarily a young name, and, well, nor is Susan.  She’s not an Olivia or Kaya or Kaileigh. 

So, Joyful Musers, play while you can. Delight in words and those who keep life simple.  Should Judy go soon, will I attend her funeral?  Probably not, but I will muse joyfully on playing THANK YOU.  And though there are no Q’s or X’s  or J’s in that sentiment, there is honest gratitude for a beautiful constant. And that is score enough.

Susan Dromey Heeter is a writer from Dover who recently let her hair go au natural white. Writing has been her passion since her English majoring days at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.  Dromey Heeter has lived in The Netherlands, Alaska and currently basks in all things New England, including the frigid winters. An avid swimmer, Dromey Heeter’s great passion is to bring back body surfing as most children have no idea how to ride waves without ridiculous boogie boards.