THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY

"My house is too small." "I'm a lousy cook." "I'm too tired." "Maybe after I get that new carpet." Do any of these excuses sound familiar to you? One of the most effective ways we can show love to people in the world around us is to open our home and extend kindness to all who enter. When we invite someone to be a part of our family, even if itís just for an evening, we show them they are special to us and their presence enriches our lives; something we all need to be reminded of from time to time.

Have you ever been a guest in the home of someone who has the gift of hospitality? You will most likely remember it if you have. You may not recall what you ate or the color of the tablecloth. You probably remember the welcome feeling you had as you walked through the door.

My dad grew up in the south and we traveled from Michigan to Virginia in the summer to visit relatives. Aunt Louise had the gift of hospitality. I can still see her standing in the doorway with her apron on and her arms stretched out to welcome us. The aroma from the kitchen alone was enough to make you glad you made the trip! She made the best fried chicken, hot biscuits and sweet potatoes. Dad's favorite dessert was cherry pie and Aunt Louise knew that, so she would have one there for him when we came to visit. She always had the table ready and waiting for us. Hers was a humble home, but somehow we all squeezed around the large dining room table.

You definitely got the feeling that she had practiced hospitality many times through the years. She never seemed ruffled or in a hurry, maybe it's because she had so much practice raising seven children! After dinner we would all gather in the small living room (most of us seated on the floor) to enjoy the many musical talents in the family. Dad would always pull out his harmonica and play old songs like ''The Wreck of the Old 97" or "Turkey in the Straw". Uncle Jack would play the violin and there was also the piano and guitar. If Uncle Joe happened to be there we would get to hear his wonderful stories and jokes. After the music and the visiting we would get ready to leave and go to my grandparents home to spend the night. Aunt Louise and Uncle Jack would be standing on the porch waving goodbye as we pulled out of the driveway.

A lot of years have come and gone since I've been to Aunt Louise's house, but the lessons I learned about hospitality remain:

1. The size of your home and your budget aren't important, the size of your heart is.

2. The more, the merrier.

3. Preparing ahead gives you the opportunity to enjoy your guests more and also makes them feel that their arrival has been eagerly anticipated.

4. You don't need to worry about entertainment, good company is entertainment enough.

5. The greeting as your guests arrive and the farewell as they leave speak volumes.

6. There's a reason for the phrase "practice hospitality". Don't expect to be great at it on your first attempt. Just like anything else we learn, it gets easier and becomes natural the more you do it.

The most important thing to remember is that hospitality should begin in your own home with your own family. What good is it to welcome the world, if you havenít made your husband or children feel that they are loved and cared for? Practice hospitality at home and it will naturally over flow to everyone else you come in contact with.

There are many ways to practice hospitality and you have to find the way that works best for you. Why not throw out all of your excuses and begin today?

We need more "Aunt Louises" in the world.

Copyright © 2002 Jeanne Wing. All Rights Reserved.