Say Yes to Dinner

At my age I'm stuck between not wanting to make a big deal about my birthday and becoming increasingly aware of how lucky I am to keep celebrating another trip around the sun. This year every hour of my birthday brought a fresh reminder of how grateful I am for my family and friends. They were all so very kind and I felt clumsy and awkward about accepting their myriad gifts. I don't need anything, I don't need the affirmations, but I felt like a queen on the receiving end of their love.

As empathetic humans we know that so many of our loved ones are carrying a lot and we don't want to be a burden or bother to them. But this birthday reminded me that some people like to show their love through acts of generosity and kindness and a gift we can give as well as receive is to say yes when they extend a hand.

A dear neighbor invited me to dinner which I declined due to a week of busy evening schedules. Then she offered to bring me the dinner I would otherwise have had at her house. That seemed like such an imposition and I wanted to decline, but then I thought about how much joy it brings me to drop off surprises at her door and I reckoned the same might be true for her. So i said yes.

The meal was extraordinary, each dish an act of love from the delicious food to the hand-made bowls they'd created in a pottery studio that carried the courses. I made myself eat slowly, tasting both the flavor of the food and the love and effort that went into it. I noticed every detail from the grilled eggplant to the black and white sesame seeds on the tuna. I gave the meal my full attention and came away deeply nourished in both mind and body. I shared my gratitude.

I didn't want to cause my friend trouble, this meal took quite some time to prepare. But in accepting her generous offer I got to revel in awe of her love.

What gestures of love from your community can you say yes to this week? What gestures of love for your community can you offer? When you are on the receiving end of that love, remind yourself to slow down and savor the gift. Challenge yourself to do so with all your senses.