Grampa Sam's

Our cohort has been invited by the seminary dean to break bread together at an Italian eatery in Spencerport called Grampa Sam's. I have never eaten there, but I am told the food is delicious. It is always a challenge for me to eat out in a new place because of all the restrictions in diet related to what my body has been through.

At first, I declined because Wednesday is my night to work the reference desk. We have been so short handed and have so many people coming and going in the library that I didn't even want to ask for an exchange. I just planned to attend the conference all day and work my regular evening shift. But when I checked in this morning before heading to class, my colleagues informed me that they had realized the situation and had simply covered it for me.

Is that not amazing to work with such caring and sensitive people who have your best interests at heart? I am truly blessed. And free to go out with my new classmates. What a repast we had. I stuck with a simple pasta dish with no surprises, nothing fancy, just a predictable meal. It was amazingly delicious, and I enjoyed watching others eat the fancy dishes I would never have attempted.

Meanwhile the conversation was rich and engaging. Sometimes I listened to three concurrent threads, amazed at the wealth of experience and expertise that was gathered around the table. We paid no attention to the time, but simply savored each others' company. There is something very satisfying about breaking bread with others that makes you feel whole and a part of something better than yourself even if you didn't slave away making the food.

At last we tore ourselves away, full in tummy, full in thoughts, full in soul. Alas, tomorrow we are back at the challenges of coursework and will have to think. I hope I have time to digest everything before jumping in again.