On Hospitality

   I've always enjoyed playing hostess for my friends.  I love cooking for them, gathering mix and match pillows and blankets for the evening, and laying out towels for showers in the morning.  When we're gaming (see: Always) I make sure there is room on the table for the crackers and cheese, and fetch drinks and refills when it isn't my turn.  I take pride in ensuring that no one feels excluded, bored, or hungry.
   Yesterday I was reminded where I picked up my love of entertaining: my parents.  They have always enforced an open door policy, ensuring my friends had a place to go when things went wrong.  Dad has fixed one of my friend's cars when she was behind on rent and afraid of losing her only source of transportation.  Mom has reminded my friends time and again that they are welcome to come any time, even if my brothers and I are not around.  Regardless of the nights they kept them up, the extensive amounts of food they consumed, and the number of things they have broken, my parents have continued allowing them to come over, yell their lungs out, chow down... and fix the house they've all but destroyed (high school was a trying time for the walls and furniture in the basement).  Through them, I learned that hospitality means more than room and board.  It's an honest desire to reinforce assurance and well being.
  This morning, I woke up in my old room, husband sound asleep from coming to bed at four in the morning, and friends sprawled out on any available furniture.  Coming upstairs, I took inventory of everyone, making sure they had blankets to keep them warm, and cellphones near at hand.  Once they had all been seen to, I saw to my own needs and went to the kitchen scrounge up something to eat.  As I was taking stock of what was available for everyone's morning meal, I saw a plain brown box on the stove.  On it was a single piece of scotch tape (lock and key for the cats) and a short message, in my mother's even handwriting.
  "Breakfast :)"
   Even after returning from a late night concert, waking up at six to attend church this morning, and likely bidding the MtG crew upstairs a good night, she found time to spoil us all with doughnuts for breakfast.  It's good to know that after all these years, my parents are still able and willing to help me help others.  And when you spend so much time concerning yourself about the welfare of others, it's awesome to have someone to fall back on, with full confidence that they'll catch you.
  Mom, Dad, thanks for everything.  And today especially, thank you for your couches, refrigerators, showers, and sheets.  Some day, I'll pay you back in kind for these generosities but for now I'll keep it simple:  Thank you for your hospitality, and for always having my back.