Hospitality

Blog 179:
Hospitality at best or worst is all good.  I have come to appreciate that when people open up their homes to house me for a couple of nights or so, they are providing to, and for me, their humblest or grandest  pleasing ways.

Along my journey visiting and networking recently, I stumbled on a need to stay the night over at a friend's family home in the countryside.  It is a middle class home of modest furnishings and resources.  I was a bit nervous about not having been taken around for a customary home tour that usually ends at the door step of a room a guest would use.  When it was time to bed, I was made to choose in which spot to rest: the TV/guestroom equipped with two lounge sofas or a family member's personal room.  I groped for the right answer as quickly as I could.  My acquaintance/friend was pleased, I think, that I chose the former.  I was still in lingering trepidation because I didn't know for sure whether there would be a blanket to give me extra privacy.  I decided to "wait and see".   Waiting did pay off.  While I groomed and prepped for the night's rest,  my host went to work on my makeshift bed.  She dressed the sofa with a comforter/blanket - a family acquired souvenir from a trip to India years back.  I was relieved and pleased .  I was extra thankful for two regular pillows to use in addition to the cushions that came with the well-used lounge sofas.  The guest room was complemented with a reading lamp, a cup of hot tea, and a glass of water.

My overnight stay would have been much more perfect if I were offered a bath towel.  I was not!  Fortunately,  I brought a wash cloth and basic toiletries to use in an emergency!  I really should not have assumed that I would be provided all I needed.  I doubly should never have assumed that my personal practices for hosting someone the night over in my own home would be the same for everyone, everywhere which would include complete basic toiletries, towels, night robe, and bedding.  All in all, the bed itself, even though it was a makeshift one, served me well.

My host was perfect in her very own ways.  She and her family gave me their very best hospitality for which I ought to be most grateful.  Hospitality at best or worst is indeed all good!