Cheese Wedge Hospitality

I got an invitation this week to a non-event. Basically, a friend said, "I've got a wedge of good cheese and some fig spread. I won't clean. You won't dress up. We'll just have wine and cheese and good conversation. Come." So we sat under a string of Christmas lights talking about how great it would be to hold a membership in a cheese-of-the-month club and our feelings about men and facial hair. On a Friday night after a long work week, I can assure you that this was better than an event.

I've had some good conversations lately with friends about hospitality. We get intimidated by the standards our moms set from their great dinner parties. We'll have people over a few times a year for big events. But aren't the great hosts the ones who extend a hundred little non-event invitations? Come on over when my kitchen is not clean, the bras from the washing machine are hanging over the door, and a mysterious smell is coming from the sink.

Everyone these days is too busy for more commitments. I end up especially grateful for friends who are willing to do spontaneous, everyday life with me. Metro has room for last-minutes walks or shopping and wants to take golf lessons together. Keen sends last-minute invitations. Lucky swung by the other week for a dinner of whatever we could both pull together last-minute.

I had dinner last night with some older women with the same complaint. We're so busy, but we want to get to know people in a way that doesn't feel like another calendar obligation. I ask people every week to walk with me. I need to remember to just keep asking, find people who have room for spontaneity, and offer my own cheese wedge hospitality.