Saturday, January 27, 2007

Dearest God,

I can pinpoint the minute when I lost my energy. I was standing by the stove removing foil from the Lime-Scented Orange Roughy with Spinach. I knew I was "done for."

I had worked for two days preparing for my annual Epiphany Gourmet Dinner and Evening at the Leiningers. I had cleaned house, set up tables in the living room, and decorated with red tablecloths, glistening snow, and Frosties. My crystal and china complemented the decor.

I had purchased soy candles for each of my guests and a gift for each staff member from the church. I found beautifully decorated boxes with Frosties and Santas so I slipped the gifts inside, placing the boxes around the room and on the tables.

I turned on the tiny white lights woven in among the Frosties on the mantle, lit the candles, and Harold started a fire. Warm, cozy, just the right atmosphere for special friends, colleagues with whom I work. The menu was a delight. Recipes from Southern Living, The Chocolate Book, and Cooking Light. The healthy choices from CL and pure decadence from SL. Chocolate Bread Pudding with Vanilla Cream was exquisite from the Chocolate Book.

Desserts, salad, vegetables, cider, and bread had been prepared the day before. I just needed to prepare the soup and the two entrees. I had not carefully checked the preparation time on the meat and fish. After the soup was consumed, it took about 30-40 minutes to finish the main course. It was in the middle of cooking that my energy took a quick exit. I never got it back.

I didn't get to spend much time with my friends, a disappointment especially since I thought I would actually spend more time with them. When I finally sat down during dessert (the only time since I ate my salad) I lifted the Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice bottle and drank straight from it. A guest caught me on camera. The label was turned toward me. "Blackmail," a staff member's husband told me. "Blackmail!" We laughed.

Without energy, I sat like a limp rag at the end of the table. I did listen to conversations and put in my two cents contribution wherever possible. But I really didn't do much beyond that. I passed out my gifts and at 11:00 p.m. people moved to the front door. I fell into bed.

This morning I awakened later than usual (6:00 a.m.) so I got up to do the clean up. Susan, my helper for the evening, had cleaned most of the china. My husband usually does the clean up. But it was still dark and I love the early morning hours so I began the clean up myself. I washed the pots and pans, cleaned off surfaces in the kitchen so I could bring the "good stuff" in to be washed.

An hour later I was washing the crystal. I thought of each friend who had graciously attended my yearly party. I was grateful for those who blessed me with their presence, their laughter, and their patience. I realized how prized they are to me, for their friendship, their ministry, their love of God. Yes, they are colleagues; but they are also friends.

Silent moments of reflection give me pause to say thanks for special people in my life. I recognize that God has put a lot of exceptional people around me. I am blessed. Washing dishes on a dark, Saturday morning becomes a meditation time when thoughts turn toward God.

Friendships are valued gifts,
straight from your hands.
You weave people into our lives.
Some in mysterious ways.
You allow the moments to gestate
as personalities, values, and character
are forming,
merging together to form a bond.
It is your intent
that we live our lives together,
not separately.
We are community,
a community of love.

Love always, Andrea