Thursday, May 7, 2009

Scarlet Cord Friday Night Update, May 1st


Dear Friends,

I was driving home from SC tonight and literally almost burst into tears just from sheer joy. I was so grateful to be in the company of the other volunteers tonight: Sara (she's back from the land of 1040's and it was so wonderful to see you again...we should sooo go for a hike sometime...smile), Muna (your strength and what you're capable of totally amazes me more and more every week...seriously, will you marry me?), Raelene (you make my sides split from laughing, you are total medicine for the heart), Vania (you just emanate warmth and kindness and I swear your eyes literally twinkle), Tiffany ("Mrs. Al-to be"....my heart saddens to see you go away again but so, so, so, so, so happy for what is in store in the next few months as you become a wife to a fantastic man...gosh, look out world for this couple!), and our new volunteer Sherry (I am pretty sure you've been a part of our group for a long time already, you're a "kindred spirit" and soul sister without a doubt). I am so, so, so thankful to God for bringing all these women into my life...I just feel so blessed to be part of this group.

Which leads me to something else I'm thankful for: food, I mean really, really, really good food. I am pretty sure that when God made women, he/she gave us women the love and appreciation for food on purpose. Granted, that can become a very painful place for a lot of women and a lifelong struggle, but it can also be a thing of beauty utterly appreciated for the "sensual pleasures" it brings, a place for incredible artistic expression and creative genius. So that is the segway into the discussion of our dinner tonight and a pathetic one that doesn't do any justice. First, our other new volunteers Caroline, Carol, and Arlene who made our dinner: I just want you all to know that eating your meal literally made my heart sing and I felt like I was eating at Portland's finest restaurant (Gabriel Rucker, you've got nothing on Caroline and my two aunts!). I knew that you all spent time together creating this incredible meal as friends and as sisters (literally!) laughing and sharing...I could feel that "time" you put into it. I know without a doubt that food had blessings heaped upon it by the hearts that did the stirring, the chopping, the roasting, the sautéing, etc...and prayers were given during the creation of it. So, when I ate the food tonight, it was such an experience to partake of this phenomenal meal...I wasn't just eating food, I was being filled with blessing after blessing. It was, without trying to use a cliché, absolute soul food. The salad was spinach, with feta, oranges, dried cranberries (if my memory is right?), and a dressing that was like a citrus vinaigrette partnered with some pizzazz of red onion. Then there were steamed green beans with a lemon dressing....oh my word. Next, we had quinoa with glazed pecans, dried cherries (or cranberries...there was an orange flavor there too). For the main course there was herb crusted roast pork cooked to absolute perfection...moist, and tender.......and served with herbed gravy (real gravy...gravy makes me giggle with delight). For dessert, we had lemon bars and chocolate bars with I believe a cream cheese frosting....AND chocolate covered strawberries. Folks...everything was homemade and from scratch. It was enough to send a person into nirvana. They also brought a mango blend juice and I think there was one more kind that I cannot remember. It was a gastronomic experience......just imagine someone coming in from a sad place in their life and partaking of something that not only was out of this world smashing, but was created with such devotion and love? What a way to spread some love!

How does one describe a Friday night at Scarlet Cord......sisterhood! It is so amazing to see women loving and caring as it was meant to be. As Carol mentioned each woman is so dear it is so fun to see each other after a time away and catch up....and Carol (calm and always seeing the strength in others-your words are poetry-more food for the soul). Sandy (looking stunning in her lil' black dress) dropped off bread on her way to see the graduates from Shepherd's Door-another ministry that helps women. Thank you Sandy for stopping even though you did not have time because it turned out to be a connection we were able to make later that evening.

We quickly set up and what was to be a quick moment to work out the plan for the evening turned into a story of romance, which we were all on the edge of our seats eating up every detail. The story wrapped up and the street team headed out (Carol, Vania, Sherry, and Muna) to hit the clubs and lingerie shops. The sights, sounds, and smells of spring were all around us and we ENJOYED every moment of it.
We stopped at one of the "shops" that we have not always been warmly greeted at-every time we stop they are just a little more soft, friendly, and open to us! They even asked how we were doing! It We were able to have conversation with a few girls-talk mostly revolved around slow business and swine flu. At two different spots the gals talked about using some of our "gifts" for their children....what a blessing to think of a little girl running around with her own little purse or a child that is experiencing relief from some of the lotion that was so generously donated to SC! We talked with D and she was hoping to come by some Friday when she was not left alone to grab some bread...we told her we would bring some next week but as we finished off the rounds we make a quick trip back to grab some bread and bring it back to her. Please keep her (and others that may be left alone in the businesses) in your thoughts and/or prayers. It is good to see how we are continuing to build bridges...the girls and men in some cases know who we are and they are keeping doors wide open!
Tiffany, Raelene, and Sara stayed in our cozy Friday night abode to welcome the guests. D was our only guest for the evening but what a fine meal she received! D has been getting back together (in her words they "might be working things out") with her ex-husband and is excited and scared at the same time. She also mentioned it was her birthday next week and she was hoping that her children would be taking her out to dinner next Friday. She was concerned that we know why she was absent-she knew we would be worried! I love to see the change in her....when she first came she hardly cracked a smile but now she smiles often!
When we got back from the streets everyone was relaxing at the couch. Tiffany got up to help serve plates to the street team.....It has been a true joy to get to know your sweet quiet spirit and I am sad that you are leaving but when I see the sparkle in your eye about returning to see your love-well you can hardly be sad when you see that and I am glad it will just be for a season! I echo Carol's sentiments as to the meal as it was AMAZING! It was a moment of refuge and I think we all just wanted to linger around and continue conversation....just like a family gathering-our family of sisters!

Much love Carol, Raelene, and Muna

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