Our Suppers 8 Group Meets Again

About three years ago we decided to participate in our church's Suppers 8 program. The names of all the members who wanted to participate were put in a hat, drawn out randomly, and put in groups of eight people. Keilah, a granddaughter, thought it would be funny if her folks got put in the same group as us. We thought that was very unlikely. Suppers Eight groups met 4-5 times a year in months that had five Sundays. Each group meets in each other's homes, and this gave a time to eat, good fellowship, and a chance to get to know each other on an informal basis.

We looked forward to learning with whom we would meet, as we were new members and did not really know many people very well. Previously we had met two other couples over dinner: Beth and Harold and Rachael and Dennis. Soon the Sunday arrived and the Suppers 8 groups were announced. Our group consisted of us, our kids Kristy and Tim, and the two other couples mentioned above whom we had met earlier. How we laughed to be in a group with people we had met and known! But, we looked forward to the four meetings, good food, and good fellowship. Of course, the year went well, and we wondered what groups we might be in for the next year, as annually the groups were re-picked. We did decide to keep meeting with our original group, since we had enjoyed each other's company regardless.

Our second year came around, and we were put together with several groups of young married couples. This was again fun to get to know some others that we might not otherwise have known so well. Our original Suppers 8 group kept going also, and we let the good times roll.

Last evening our original group got together once again, and we decided on an Italian theme for the food. I am not good at the Italian names, so I won't try, but none of us left the table hungry. Rachael is one terrific cook, and she made the main courses and dessert. Salads, bread, and antipasti were provided by the rest of us.

At the shank end of the evening we were laughing so much that it was hard to hear, and we began to remedy that by playing "telephone," with several messages getting progressively more mixed up and very funny. Then came "Authors" and yelling out of their works or the reverse, which was equally funny. Dennis was in rare form, and we enjoyed his high jinks. Whenever we are able, we eight try to get together and maintain the comradery that has developed over the years. What a wonderful way to meet people and develop good lasting friends!