Community Chest

     Well, there were no cannons and no fireworks, but our Fourth of July celebrations were quite complete nonetheless. On Thursday we were treated to a neighborhood potluck with grilled goodies at the house of our dear friends. Five households were represented, the food was wonderful, and the conversation could not possibly have been more enjoyable.

     That afternoon my daughter and I had spent a few hours working the booth for The Pet Food Pantry, garnering donations and having a blast. We adorned our heads with stars and flags, sported red-white-and-blue necklaces, etc. A visiting French gentleman asked to take our photograph as we looked so "American".

     On Friday we attended the local Farmers' Market (which has a huge following) and procured some lovely tea made of dried wild strawberries, and some ingredients for an aioli I wanted to make to accompany our corn-on-the-cob. We had a huge late afternoon meal of ribs and side dishes and cornbread and dessert: It was wonderful. The showers even held back just long enough for us to enjoy this repast on the deck.

     But they couldn't help themselves when it came time to hear the Symphony. Ah well, with the luck we've not had around these parts over the past two years with wildfires, we'll gladly take the rain. Daughter and I managed to walk down to the festivities, circle the track once to survey the crowd and listen to the Celtic opening act, then opened our umbrellas against the opening sky for the walk back home. We knew we could hear the music from the front porch if we chose to anyway.

     Back home, we did remain on the porch hoping for a rainbow as the clouds and sun jousted back and forth for a bit, but none came. We heard the Symphony warm up...then nothing. Either we're losing our hearing or thunder delayed their start, whatever the reason after about an hour or so we retreated indoors.

     Even with the less-than-anticipated activities, our roster seemed full: We got to have two terrific meals, see lots of friends and neighbors, make some money for our non-profit, and share of ourselves with other folks. And that's the best part. When you let yourself be given to others you become a part of something larger than yourself. Every joke, each insight, all your truths you give away become the best return present of all: Community.