Group of Multiethnic Diverse People Having Fun, Sharing Stories with Each Other and Eating at Outdoors Dinner Party. Family and Friends Gathered Outside Their Home on a Warm Summer Evening.

Often, on late summer afternoons, when it’s not too humid, I will sit on my back deck and observe life happening around me.

I’ll get a strange sort of pleasure watching the leaves in nearby treetops, some up to five stories high, rustle in the breeze.

I’ll peer into nearby yards and observe young children cooling off in blow-up pools or sprinklers and teen-aged girls stretching out in metal framed recliners, listening to the radio. LOUDLY.

Where I live, front yards might showcase gardens; the result of a homeowner’s time and passion or their bank account and the vision of their landscaper. The variety of living things and commitment people make to put something beautiful out into the world touches me.

But, a lot of life happens in backyards, too. For a few minutes, I feel like part of the family I’m watching.

I love watching summertime gatherings come together. Now that it’s July, it seems that I am treated to a family gathering every weekend.

There might be occasions for celebration, like birthdays and graduations. But, there doesn’t need to be any special purpose, except the desire to be surrounded by love and sharing.

There doesn’t need to be planned activities or even much coordination. When people who want to have a good time come together, they usually have a GOOD TIME.

I love summertime potlucks in the backyard.

I realize that much of my affection for this type of gathering comes from the standpoint of the consumer.

Potlucks, generally, offer a great variety of dishes served up with a wonderful feeling of surprise. Usually, you don’t know what to expect, but you anticipate being delighted by whatever is laid out on the table.

It’s hard not to enjoy the feeling of abundance. There’s always more food than what is needed for everyone to fill their stomachs and take home leftovers. (And everyone who ordered meals during COVID lockdowns have plenty of plastic containers.)

A mysterious phenomenon seems to come with this type of get together. No matter how much, or how little, prep time you devote to inviting people and putting out a spread, things always come out perfectly, Maybe someone runs out to get more ice during the evening, but they’re usually very relaxed affairs.

There is a great feeling of acceptance with this kind of experience that feels like a good approach to life; to accept things as being perfect the way they are.

Not just as a guest, as a consumer. I like to consider the perspective of the host.

At any gathering, I always want to welcome people in such a way that they feel their presence is important. I hope to express how much everyone’s contributions matter, whether they bring kick-ass guacamole made from hand-mashed avocados or chocolate chip cookies from the store.

In some way, I’m always hosting.  I like to think everyone is.

We can always give attention to helping people feel welcome. We can always express how much anyone’s unique contribution adds to everyone’s experience.

Appreciating what everyone has to offer is no small thing.

Re-printed with permission.

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