one of the things i love about france, or hospitality in general, is beautiful table settings. the linens, candles, white lights, maybe wildflowers in canning jars; in general creating an environment where people can relax, be themselves, laugh and tell stories. the setting matters to me. we just put on a wedding, for example, that was beautiful in this way. the community came together and when everyone did their job, from flowers and cakes to music and lights, the result was nothing short of stunning. imagine polishing each glass just so, allowing it to reflect your face with no smudges and let the dappled green and yellow sunshine through. do you have a friend like that? one who is honest, yes, about your frailties but who also looks past them to see and believe the best about you at all times no matter what? richard rohr in his book "falling upward" writes, "you can usually only do this well (second half of life tasks) if you have one true mirror yourself, at least one loving, honest friend to ground you, which might even be the utterly accepting gaze of the Friend. by all means you must find at least one true mirror that reveals your inner, deepest, and yes, divine image. this is why intimate moments are often mirroring moments of beautiful mutual receptivity, and why such intimacy heals us so deeply...we really do find ourselves through one another's eyes, and only when that has been done truthfully can we mirror others with freedom, truth and compassion." if you are fortunate to be so welcomed, you grow into a host that can say, "come to the table, you who are not alone."
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