The Kindness of a Home-Cooked Meal

"It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding."
― Kahlil Gibran

Sometimes friends know just what you need...

I am not a fan of fast food, but on some days,  as I shuttle children back and forth, it seems our only alternative.  But earlier this week, a friend told me that we would have dinner at her house during the time that I usually drive through a fast-food restaurant in between school and another activity.

When my children and I arrived at my friend's house, she had a beautiful table set with Halloween-themed placemats and a lovely vase of orange flowers in the center.  She had prepared lasagna -- with breaded eggplant!  And a delicious salad with pears as well as homemade bread, cut-up fruit...  Even the water that she served had sliced lemons.  Clearly, my friend knows how to entertain.

Her kindness was so thoughtful and generous.  It was a wonderful treat and a lovely time-out in the middle of the rush-rush of daily life.  As I thanked her and complimented her for her amazing talent in the kitchen, she shrugged it off.  That's how she is.  Nothing that she does for others ever seems like a big deal, although she is very appreciative of even the smallest things that someone might do for her.   The meal was incredibly delicious, but the greater gift was her kindness.