This weekend my family truly enjoyed a great time celebrating a close friend’s high school graduation. Not only were we proud, here is my brief brag: our pal, Helena is heading UPenn as a Ben Franklin Scholar! We enjoyed being included on all levels. We cooked, prepared and were involved in the party, but what touched my family deeply was that the menu choices avoided nuts and seeds so that no one had to worry about a possible allergic reaction. Of course, nothing is guaranteed and all risk reduction is welcomed with open arms! The food for the party was safe except for one salad with a dressing that had a questionable label and the cake from a bakery. Our friends just wanted us to enjoy every moment of the day with the least amount of focus on who is eating which dish and what are they touching. I’m feeling very grateful today.
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
― Marcel Proust
We don’t expect anyone to go this far and that is what made the day magical for us! This was a beautiful display of friendship and love. Almost all of the recipes were from the family’s recently deceased grandmother and were very special and traditional Sicilian dishes. We all overate, drank homemade wine and danced. Sometimes, a few extra steps feels like a few extra miles.
I’m making it my mission this week to see how I can take a few extra steps for someone else with the hopes of it feeling like an extra mile.
How do you go the extra mile for people in your community–please share?
Note: Top Thank You image courtesy of Gubgib via freedidgitalphotos.net
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
This is wonderful! We had a similar experience at a graduation party one year ago. Our dear friends whose son had graduated asked us way ahead of time about menu options, pertaining to our two sons’ food allergies. Both of them were able to enjoy a few safe items at the party and really feel a part of the celebration. Knowing the party was peanut and nut free, along with being advised regarding dishes with milk, allowed our family to relax and truly have fun. It was pure joy to know a family cared about us…and without making us feel guilty in any way. It was a breath of fresh air to feel like it was “no problem at all” for this family to be so gracious and keep our sons’ safety and feelings in mind! Grateful indeed.