Green (Day 16)

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(On Fridays during this series I'll tell a real life story of community.
Today I'm linking up with Five Minute Friday to do so.)

We pass out invitations with words written in green. We say "come one, come all," and we really hope they do.

We haul the chairs and tables and spread them with vinyl tablecloths. We fire up the grill and the smoky scent of charcoal fragrances the air. Should they forget, the scent will remind them.

We fill the grill with meat and here they come. There are coolers and casserole dishes. There are bottles and cans. We talk, we linger, we wait while the grillmaster conjures up a feast.

And then we surround those tables and juice drops on the vinyl covers. Maybe someone spills a drink but someone definetely spills their heart. We come to the table to find out who people really are and oftentimes they find out too.

We linger. We make it last as long as we can.

Finally we clean up. It is a community afair. We shake out tablecloths and wipe down furtniture and allow the grill to cool. The truth is some of us don't want it to end. Because coming around the table changes us.

From strangers, to neighbors, to friends.

This post is part of the 31 Days of Neighboring series.