FIREPLACE DINING AT A VERY TINY TABLE

Do you have a “mentor?”   I have had many wonderful people who have mentored me in my life as a woman, wife, friend, and follower of Jesus Christ.   The dictionary beautifully shares what it means to be a mentor.

Mentor:  a wise and trusted friend, coach, counselor, adviser, an influential supporter

My husband and I were married only about a year when this lovely lady at our church invited me to have lunch with her in her home.   I didn’t know her well at all, but I must admit that I admired her from afar.   One feature I loved about this sweetheart of a woman is that she was consistently friendly and inclusive to anyone who was in her presence.  She had a unique ability to make you feel as though you were the only one on earth present when she was around you.

Soon after my husband and I were married, we moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.   This was a new culture to me, and I did my best to absorb the new and somewhat different way of doing things.  

This special couple had my husband and I to their home many times to lavishly enjoy her “creative talents” from the kitchen.  This one day though, she invited me for lunch.  Just me.  I clarify that because she was accustomed to having large numbers of guests for lunch or dinner.   All of the gatherings at their home were fun, just plain fun.  She had the ability to serve bread and butter as though it was a delicacy. 

This invitation to lunch by this new, and soon-to-be-friend, was much anticipated.    I arrived at the door (it was a COLD day) and as I entered, I practically fell into arms of acceptance and joyful laughter.   The smile of her greeting and the warm hug brought an inner warmth I shall never forget.

She angled me in the doorway and to the right.   This little bedroom hosted coats, purses and the sweaters of visitors who came by.   I remember just being lost in the sweetness of the room.   It was like visiting a country boutique.  Dolls, flowers and antique-like nick knacks were creatively placed all over the room.  Honestly, I could have browsed there for 15 minutes just taking in the ambiance and beauty of the room.  It was delightful.

After taking off my coat and receiving another hug, we entered the living room.  I can still remember the radiant warmth of the carpet under my feet and the emerald green color.   The fireplace was in full roar and then ……………..there it was.    A small table draped in a gorgeous white-lace like tablecloth.    It was adorned with fine china, stemmed water glasses, lit candles, and silverware that seemed to sparkle.   The serviette/napkin was so pretty, I hesitated to unfold this masterpiece.

Now I’ve been over to many a home for lunch, but believe me, this table arrangement and the placement in front of the fireplace was fit for a “queen.”

I could barely respond to our introductory chit-chat from gazing around the room.   Above the fireplace was a long shelf hosting dozens of framed photographs of her family.   They were attractively laced side by side.

She invited me to sit down and be warmed up by the fire as she would soon be bringing in lunch.   When I was growing up, my sister and I were never allowed to eat in the living room.   (And we all know why, don’t we!)    So this “dining decor” was an incredible way to say I love you, and don’t worry if you drop something on the carpet. 

Approaching me from her kitchen was a tray of delights.  There was a selection of about three tea sandwiches, with fruit and scones.  Everything was attractively “arranged” on the plate.   My, it was as if Better Homes and Gardens had requested the display. 

A lunch experience from my kitchen would be placing egg salad, lunch meat, or cheese between two slices of bread.  We refer to that as a sandwich.  But to my friend, this was more than just a sandwich, it was a time to enjoy every morsel of the ingredients that were carefully arranged between the slices of bread.

I noticed right away that she had stripped the crust off each piece of bread and delicately placed a variety of fillings on the runway of the smooth-textured bread.  Even the fruit had a special touch.  I could imagine her conversing with the strawberry to get its permission to be sliced ever-so-gently at an angle.  Can I assume you’d be interested in having lunch with her at this point of my story?

As I was relaxing in this exquisite spot, I couldn’t help but notice the fireplace blazing with joy.  I say joy because my friend was oozing with joy as she shared how special it was for her….that I was there with her.  Believe me, the joy was all mine.

We must have sat there for almost two hours.  I couldn’t count the number of cups of tea.  We chatted and laughed the entire time.  I never remembered being invited anywhere where everything was just so delicately chosen and arranged….just for me.

I felt so honored, pampered, and special.  She had this gift of making someone feel as though they were the most precious person on earth.  She certainly wasn’t without family responsibility because she was the mother of three children and busy in the lives of many other people.

But today, was “my day,” specially planned by her so I would know and feel God’s love and her love too.  She was given the “gift of hospitality” by the Lord:  that goes without saying.   As wonderful as lunch was, the real gift was that this afternoon she was giving “herself away” by creating a simple spot in her living room, in front of the fireplace to have fun and conversation with a new friend, me. 

Her presence, laughter, acceptance, love and loving conversation made me feel like royalty.    One aspect of note about the conversation was that she spoke very little about herself.   She wanted to know all about me, who I was, what I enjoyed doing, how my life was being lived.    

Her approach in our dialogue was so inviting and accepting.   When she spoke of others, it was surrounded and bathed in kindness.   Her laughter was contagious.   I always thought that if she had to correct me in any way, that I’d hardly realize it because of the tenderness that would encompass her every word.   I dared not make a comment about how lovely something was, I believe, or she’d have given it to me.

This delightful lady encouraged me to just have “fun with another”…..with no agenda, other than to show others how special they are!     You don’t have to have fine china to do that.   She taught me that I can put together two pieces of bread, cut out shapes, or tear away the crusts, and place absolutely anything between them.   Because it’s not the selection of the cuisine that makes a lovely luncheon, but the love of the Lord, laughter, and a little table simply adorned with a tablecloth and placed in front of a fireplace, or window.  She was so loving and caring to me that I think I’d have enjoyed lunch even in her bathroom.

I must digress for a moment and share one more area of her home environment before winding up this encounter.  Every room in her home had “her touches of simplistic elegance.”   At other times at a later date, when my husband and I were in her home, I would enjoy disappearing to their restroom.  Yes, their bathroom was a place for lots of things, and rest was one of them.

She would have an arrangement of little pictures of her family, towels uniquely folded like gifts, various shapes of soaps, and dishes of hand lotions.   They were all gifts for anyone to enjoy while they were “resting” in that location.

Back to lunch around the fireplace……………I know that this little table served a host of many young women.  I can only imagine the number of young women who were invited to dine in front of this woman’s fireplace and feel the love of the Lord through many a quiche or sandwiches placed before them.

This beautiful friend’s life then and now continues to love me in special ways.  We no longer live in Calgary, but her loving calls every so often, brighten my spirit.   This dear one will always hold a precious mentoring spot in my life. 

 She taught me that crackers and cheese and a “cuppa tea” around any size table make others feel special.

She, along with many other women, demonstrated to me in many and diverse means by which I can show others how unique and special they really are!

How thankful I am to God for weaving this wise and winsome woman along my life’s journey.  She is so gifted in the skill of practical love and outreach, and my life is richer for it.  

Thank you Anne for showing me the love, kindness and generosity of our Lord Jesus.    You are one SPECIAL WOMAN….and a lovely forever friend.