Say It Crystal Clear: COME TO THE TABLE

The evergreens and lanterns lining the walk-way offered a warm-glow welcome to all who entered. Once inside, A beautiful winter-wonderland beckoned us all...

COME TO THE TABLE and Celebrate....

Friendship
Family
Joy
Sharing

Merriment

Peace

Dreams

Tradition

Giving

Creation

Stillness

To the wife and mother who is really gifted at creating beautiful things, but struggles at the thought of a large gathering and people she doesn't know, she "just happens" to sit next to the woman who makes her feel at ease and joyful. When the night is over, a kindred spirit has been found.

To the young professional who thanks us for including her -- she also "just happens" to sit next to the woman who offers her just what she needs. Kindness and Passion for her profession! She later sent me a note expressing, "it was incredible to sit at a table filled with such confident, inspiring women".

To the woman and friend who saw fit to fill a tin with cookies, and deliver it to a friend who couldn't be there because she is often just physically unable to get out.

To the coordinators of the event itself, hard work is always rewarding when you get to see first hand so many expressions of awe and joy and wonder. As a point person for the event, I received a lot of compliments and thanks. BUT, I learned a long time ago, it isn't about how good "I" can be, rather, it is about the amazingly good people surrounding me. I am grateful for the love and thanks offered towards such a fine affair, but I am beyond grateful for all the ladies who collectively and sacrificially gave of their time, their resources and their talents. To the hostess and the table setters, to the decorators and silver polishers, to the soup makers and the bread buyers, and ALL who expressed their joy of the season thru making invitations and baking cookies to share...YOU are the amazingly good people around me.

As fulfilling as it is to create fun, festive, beautiful and delicious Christmas Cookies, it is really so much more than a cookie exchange. In the celebration, whether simple or elaborate, in our own unique styles, we find community and connection, we inspire other women, and most importantly, those places in all of us that feel void or uncertain, are encouraged. Something very special happens when we COME TO THE TABLE with an open and willing heart, ready to celebrate.