Service

I returned an hour ago from serving at a rehearsal dinner for two of my former students who I now call friends. I was there serving from 4 until 10:30 p.m. The whole way there I kept wondering how anyone would choose to get married during this, the busiest season of the year. It's been a busy two weeks and now I had hours of activity today, an afternoon wedding and evening dinner/dance reception tomorrow, and loads of New Year's Eve parties to attend Sunday.

However, when I arrived and got to work with some of my closest friends, another emotion overtook my original feeling of being overwhelmed. It was joy. I was happy I was there to serve.

It was truly amazing how an ordinary place can be transformed into something beautiful in such a short time. It was incredible how peaceful we all worked together and how everything just fell into place. And the food, well, it was superb (no, I did not cook any of it).

As I stood in my place dumping scoops of rice pilaf onto plates, my thoughts went back about 8 1/2 years ago to my own rehearsal dinner. I thought about all of the kind and loving people who did the same for me. I remembered my students who served us the meal. I was thrilled to be able to "pay it forward" so to speak.

I love that I live among people who still understand what true service means. No one was paid for their services tonight. No one expected to get paid. And, had anyone offered, I feel certain we all would have refused. We didn't serve to get something in return. We served to give something we never expect to get back. We served out of love because we love the people we were serving.

My parents trained me to be a servant by showing me how to serve. They still serve. I hope and pray that I can teach my children the same. I hope I raise them to love to serve other people. It is such a fulfilling gift to give.