Unwrapping the Gift of Hospitality
A winding path leads to Lynette’s brightly painted front door.
The bell is barely rung and there she is, eyes twinkling, smile beaming, extending her hand in welcome. ‘How lovely to see you,’ she says in her low, genteel voice. She takes my coat while asking how I am. She looks right into my eyes waiting for my answer and I am led to feel this is a question of great importance. She leads me to her sunny living room. “You must be cold. Let me get you something warm to drink.” Lynette returns shortly with my tea and sits squarely in front of me, giving me her full attention, ready for conversation. Warm and comfortable, basking in the rays of her attention, I realise I am in the presence of a true master of hospitality.
The astonishing thing is that Lynette, who lives with mental health challenges, has known more rejection than welcome in her life time. Over the years she has been institutionalized, bullied, ostracized and ignored. Yet she still gently welcomes others with a warmth and authenticity that would make Martha Stewart blush.
