What genuine hospitality cares about.
comeanddine-inprog5
"Come And Dine" Closing in on the finish line with this one.
Hi Subscriber,
I started this painting two years ago during the September Strada Easel
Challenge. Two years!!
The composition presents so many opportunities to get it wrong that I
have often wondered if I would EVER finish it. The struggle is real,
people!
But the upcoming solo show has given me the motivation to follow
through. That, and a little shift in perspective as I contemplated the
backstory.
You may recall that this was inspired by the early days of our marriage
when we hosted Thanksgiving dinner for some of our college friends,
though we had practically no furnishings.
That first one saw twelve guests across three card tables covered over
with a bed sheet. It took up the entire length of the living room, even
when arranged diagonally.
We started the tradition because we remembered what it was like to be
far from home and family on such days and had each been the grateful
recipient of other people's hospitality.
You see, true hospitality is focused on the people in front of you, not
the person in the mirror.
So it does not care about the size or location of your house. It does
not care if there is clutter or that you missed a spot with the dust
cloth.
It doesn't care that no matter how hard you try, your surroundings will
never be as tidy as that dear friend...you know the one...whose home is
always jaw-droppingly organized and spotless.
Thus it does not care that you hid the coffee stain on your tablecloth
with the bowl of mashed potatoes. It only cares that you shared your
table.
It doesn't care that practically everything you own was thrifted and
bears the scars of half a dozen previous owners. It only cares that you
offered a comfortable place to sit.
It doesn't care that your grammar was imperfect, only that you spoke
kindness. Nor does it care that you are hard of hearing, only that you
listened anyway.
It doesn't stress out when your guest spills pickled beet juice or
breaks something. It only rejoices when you invite them again.
Hospitality cares deeply that you laugh with and not at!
Remembering all of this made me realize how important it is to finish
this painting. Because it's not just an antique chair with a crystal
glass full of polished silver. It isn't a crisply ironed table cover
and cloth napkins.
It represents nearly half a century of people caring for us and in
return trying our best to emulate them.
It's come a long way this week, but I still felt like something was
missing. It just felt empty without a bird, so wouldn't ya know, I had
to pencil one in last minute.
Let's hope it dries in time to go in the solo show just a few short
weeks away.
_____
May your week be filled with birdsong!
Jan
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