There may be a lot of truth to the phrase,"Laughter is the best medicine."
It certainly applies to a group of women who get together most weekdays to play games at Texarkana, Texas, Parks and Recreation Department's Collins Senior Center.
"We have a lot of fun, and we check on each other if someone isn't here," Betsy Quinn said.
Several of the women have had major health problems in the past few years but agree that the companionship of the group is a positive part of recovery. Playing games together also helps keep their minds sharp.
Quinn suffered an aneurysm almost a year ago but has since recovered enough to play with the group again.
"Getting together and playing games helps our brains work better," she said.
The group enjoys playing Skip-Bo and other card games. Skip-Bo is a commercial version of the card games Spite or Malice.
Two to four people can play at a time as individuals, or six or more players in teams.
"It's interactive and fun and easy to win," Quinn laughed. "But I mostly like the social aspect of it," she said.
Linda Robinson Hobbs, 70, is the "miracle" of the group.
About three years ago, Hobbs was involved in a serious vehicle/train accident in Ogden, Ark. She was the only survivor but suffered serious injuries.
"God was watching over me," she said.
She underwent brain surgery and had to learn to do a lot of things over again.
Hobbs moved in with her daughter in Texarkana while she recovered and started going to the Collins Center during the day while her family was at work.
"I started coming out here after I could get out and move around more," she said. "Besides my family and my church, this has been my biggest support system. We stick together around here."
Playing games has helped her re-learn numbers and counting in a fun environment, she said.
Other regulars in the group are Kara Day, Etta Price, Betty Franks and Ida Smith. Smith is 98 but can play games with the best of them, her friends said.
Gertrude Abby, who works for the parks department, said she enjoys seeing friendships develop between people at the center.
"They amaze me every day, and I get so attached to them," she said. "Sometimes they laugh so hard over something and I have to go see what they are laughing at."