Batching It at the RWC Christmas Brunch

Every year the college hosts a Christmas brunch for all employees. It is a wonderful time for fellowship, for chatting casually with people you normally only do business with, for greeting family members, for breaking bread (and French toast and waffles and pastries and eggs and bacon and sausage and a myriad of delectable tasty treats) together.

There are tee shirts for the kids, family pictures taken near a decorated Christmas tree, canned goods and coats, hats, scarves collections, and gallons of coffee, tea, and juice. The boys enjoy coming every year, always surprised at how many people they know. During the year, they live and move in different realms and think they are isolated from my life, but really they intersect with my colleagues in many ways, from soccer to church and a million other paths.

This year, as the date drew closer, the boys abandoned me. Kiel had marriage counseling and Drew had robotics meetings and soccer. They both wanted to come, but life took them in other directions. I decided that without the boys, I would not go. I, too, had papers to write and duties to perform elsewhere. Besides, what good is a family portrait without the family? I'm not used to going solo.

I headed to my office to work on my paper. I saw people still going into Garlock for the brunch. I remembered past years and the great conversations and thought of my friends over there right now eating and laughing and chatting. What was I thinking? Of course I should go, even if I do go by myself. Why would I deprive myself of friendship just because my boys are out of sync?

I dropped my stuff in the office and headed right back out. The dining hall is warm and filled with tantalizing aromas. The waffle chefs are in full production, the hot steaming irons being manned by the Provost, the Academic Dean and the Director of Student Services. I stand in line drooling. Several people come up and chat while I wait - some of them I haven't talked to in months.

I am invited to sit at three different tables, but I select the one with people I know the least, hoping to get to know them better. Two hours flies by in what seems moments. I don't really eat a lot, but I am woven into numerous conversations. It is wonderful to be part of a family this huge, to be welcomed, to be considered one of the crowd. I wouldn't have missed this for anything.

I finally tear myself away, the paper looming over my head. I grab tee shirts for the boys and head back to the quiet and chill of my office, my heart still warmed by the friendship offered. Nice. Very nice.