Page 34 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2020

PEOPLE
FOR THE LOVE OF
Tight-Knit Group of Players Keeps in Touch
F or a little more than a year, a group of women, mostly from the Diamondhead area, got together twice a week to play the tile game Mah Jongg at the Diamondhead Country Club and the East Hancock Public Library.
On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, also known as game days, a text message would go out to remind the women and nd out who would be attending.
Tuesdays and Saturdays became more than just game days for Carol Stealey, Sharyn Mann, Carol McPheron, Pam Williams, Jan Hutton, Carolyn Rhodes, Louann Beu, Dee Rosen, Lee Sevier and Tricia Walker. They were days for the friends to gather to talk, laugh, snack and share – all while the tiles quickly clacked. Then, in early March one woman texted the others she would miss the upcoming Saturday game because of talk of a new virus.
One by one, the women
expressed concern about getting together but all agreed they would see each other soon. While they thought they would be home for a few days or maybe even a week, something bigger was happening and soon the state had a shelter-in-place order. There would be no gathering for an undetermined amount of time.
“All of us agreed our Mah Jongg days were something we really looked forward to,” Stealey said. “This random group of people, who are all very di erent, had found a common bond in this game.”
But, no government order could stop the texting for these women, many in their 70s. Stealey, often referred to as the ringleader of the group, continued, “I started posting a good morning message each day. I just wanted to stay connected – and I also needed to keep track of what day it was. That just lead to
everyone chiming in each day.”
The messages start at about 7 a.m. each day with a good
morning greeting, and then news of the day follows – bird feeder tips, good books to read, chores getting done and online shopping exploits.
Mann said, “Chocolate has been a hot topic. Hummingbirds have been a recent topic. Our pets have been discussed.”
Added Stealey, “It’s just very random things. I would say the content is not as important as the connection. I love seeing a new message pop up, it’s like that person is thinking of us at that moment.”
And that connection is what makes this group special. Beu said, “We always know what is happening with one another and, if necessary, take steps to o er
assistance. We tell great stories. We grocery
shop for one another.”
In fact, Stealey has made numerous trips to Walmart and
Sam’s Club picking up items for some of the women.
“I can’t imagine managing this quarantine without this
great group of women,” said Williams. “The rst thing we’re going to do when this is over is
play Mah Jongg and eat popcorn – maybe chocolate.”
Editor’s Note: SML contributing editor Lori Beth Susman is
a part of this Mah Jongg playing group of women and is on the text thread. As she was working from home during the shelter-in-place order, Susman admits to occasionally turning o the alerts as some days the women were in high text mode.
story and photo by Lori Beth Susman
34 | June 2020 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living