What Should I Bring?

Dear Friend,

I was invited to a gathering this week.

Naturally, my first thought was not, "What should I wear?"

It was, "What should I bring?"

I have noticed something curious about gatherings.

No one ever arrives empty-handed.

Someone carries a bowl of deliciousness balanced carefully with two hands.

Someone else arrives with a wonderful smelling loaf of bread wrapped in a towel to keep it warm.

Someone always has a favorite recipe hidden inside a well-loved dish.

It seems that every invitation comes with a quiet question.

"What small piece of myself can I share?"

After much thoughtful consideration, I decided to make a simple berry parfait.

Fresh strawberries.

Blueberries.

Soft vanilla ice cream.

A little whipped cream.

And just enough crushed graham crackers to make each spoonful smile.

As I layered everything together, I found myself wondering how many kitchens were busy doing exactly the same thing.

Perhaps somewhere another friend was stirring potato salad.

Someone else was frosting a cake.

Another person was carefully arranging slices of watermelon onto a platter.

Different recipes.

Different homes.

Yet all leading to the very same place.

I rather like that.

There is something wonderfully hopeful about preparing food for people you care about.

Especially new friends.

The dessert may only last a few minutes.

But the laughter around the table...

The conversations that drift from one chair to another...

The stories shared between bites...

Those are the things that linger.

I have also noticed something else about gatherings.

No matter how carefully everyone counts the chairs, there never seem to be quite enough.

Someone always says,

"Come sit by us."

Another chair appears from somewhere.

People scoot a little closer together.

And somehow everyone fits.

I think friendships are a bit like that.

They always seem to make room for one more.

My berry parfait is waiting in the refrigerator now, keeping wonderfully cool until it is time to leave.

I hope it brings a few smiles.

But if I have learned anything today, it is this:

The sweetest part of the gathering was never the dessert.

It was knowing there would be a place waiting at the table.

Until next time, may your table always have room for one more chair, and your heart always have room for one more friend.

With warm wishes,

Paisley Dragon