Set Another Place

I'm a little sentimental with Mother's Day coming up, but I just want to say that I'm crazy about my Mom.  We're dramatically different from each other and yet so many of the things that I like about myself are directly from her influence.  My Mom entertained a lot when I was growing up, and most of my favorite memories are from both formal and informal gatherings that she planned.  

Mom was the queen of "setting another place."  Because even back then, people were not aware of the need to RSVP.  Or they would RSVP for 1 and end up bringing a friend.  But Mom would just say, "We'll just set another place."  Some people would scoot to the left, and some people would scoot to the right, so that everyone had a place.  And everyone was welcomed.

Last Friday night, I had a great experience -- actually a bunch of great experiences all rolled into one evening.  I was invited to come hang out with a friend from high school, Nancy, whom I had not seen in -- yikes -- 21 years.  And to add even more excitement to the evening, Nancy's friends from Virginia were all going to be in town for a Girls' Weekend, so I got to hang out with them too, including Renee and Michele, whom I had gotten to know through their blogs.

Let me tell you about these girls.  They have been through the thickest and thinnest of times with each other.  They have seen life, they have seen death, they have seen good, and they have seen bad.  Together.  They have seen each other through the moments life has handed them. Together.  What an amazing group of friends.

But you know what they did?  They set another place.  For me.  Some scooted left, and some scooted right.  And there was a spot for me.  They welcomed me in, and I had a blast.

To the TNBS girls -- you all are amazing, and it was both a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of your group for the evening!