Last night a friend cooked me dinner and he went through all the thoughtful effort of planning it, preparing the meal, setting the table and having the wine at the ready…and then there was the pleasant conversation over dinner.  It was a great meal – lovely and relaxing and, I thought, so much nicer than any dinner out could have ever been.  Nicer, but certainly not easier for my friend who put in all the time, thought and effort into making it happen as well as all the cleaning after the fact. 

I must say, I was impressed and touched at the extent of the effort and the level of thoughtfulness behind it. He took great care to make sure I liked all the items he was preparing and even included a spinach salad (folks who know me well know that spinach is one of my favorite foods on the planet).

This dinner got me to thinking about that saying, "The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach."  I think the way to a woman’s heart is the extent of the effort and the level of thoughtfulness behind it.   Oh don’t get me wrong…it didn’t hurt that the meal was yummy too…but the impression went beyond the yum factor. 

Effort and thoughtfulness…I think we take it for granted sometimes.  My friend worked a full day outside on Saturday in the 90 degree heat before preparing dinner and being engaging.  I have to tell you…he is a better person than I am.  After a day like that I would have bailed on the preparing dinner commitment and went out to eat instead.  I am very glad though that he didn’t bail on that commitment as it tells me something about him and it reminded me to be thankful that someone cares enough to thoughtfully make the effort on my behalf – be it something like last night’s dinner, a note from a friend, a call for my birthday, a gift, a comment on my blog, long email correspondence, the mowing of my yard, or even the replacement of my windshield wipers.

So thanks to all the folks out there who make thoughtful efforts on my behalf…I want you to know your efforts are noted and appreciated.  Indeed, it is such efforts that connect us in the world and make life the joyous romp that it is. 

Day three hundred and twenty-nine of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C