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Dear Reader,
Years ago, when I lived in Madison, Wisconsin I started a free meal program called "Meals For Madison". Every Friday at noon I served a free meal to anyone who showed up for lunch. The business community generously donated to the program. Restaurateurs cooked food, paper companies donated cups, plates, napkins and disposable silverware, and business people volunteered. Every Friday I'd invite 10 to 12 business people to help set the tables and prepare last minute items such as deviled eggs. (Thanks to my Grandma Hale, I can't serve a meal without deviled eggs.) Then we'd dish up a buffet-style lunch to 150 people and clean up afterwards.
It gave me a good feeling to be able to do something for others in my community, but actually the most precious thing to me about the meal program, was that it was a place where I allowed myself not to judge other people. Every person who walked through the door was served a meal, and I welcomed them as if they were sitting down at my own dining room table.
I'm not suggesting judging other people was some horrible trait of mine (granted I do my fair share), but when I was at the meal site the thought 'Does this person deserve this meal?' never crossed my mind. I simply welcomed each person with open arms and it was a wonderful feeling for both of us.
Looking back, the meal program was like a training ground for me, and it's a feeling I refer back to whenever I catch myself sizing up another person--which hopefully isn't too often.
Whenever I give, I'm blessed, because it feels like I receive more back in return. To my surprise at the end of one of the Friday meals, a woman who regularly ate lunch, stood up, said a few words, and handed me an award. She'd cut out words and pictures from magazines, arranged them on a piece of paper and added some red string at the top, so the award could hang on the wall.
"Unbelievable! Best Restaurant in Madison. Elegant Yet Affordable, There's a Warm Welcome Waiting For You, Great Times, Relaxing Atmosphere, Dine with Us, and "Gifts From The Heart..."
The award, the gift from that woman's heart, hangs on my kitchen wall to this day. I am blessed.
*To see the award and enter a drawing for a vintage apron, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/apron-11-18-13.html
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Warm regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
* This month's Penguin Classics book is DEMIAN by Hermann Hesse. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin bookbag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/November13Classics
AUTHORBUZZ: AuthorBuzz authors are on vacation for the next two weeks. Instead of writing, they'll be roasting turkeys and baking pies. They will return the week of December 2nd.
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