We left the punch bowl out all afternoon, red-pink contents foaming deliciously, clear glass beads on the rim highlighted against the bouquet of lilies, the plate of miniature deserts, the gleaming white tablecloth, the coffee urn. 

We left it out afterwards, as well…

For the party after the party, when we took group photos and stood in the garden, looking at the cup plants that are expanding so quickly in this May sunshine that you can almost see them grow.

For the moment two hours after the party, when everyone was suddenly ravenous, and Liz pulled out all the food and we devoured the leftovers and drank more punch.

For a sip for each of the grandchildren, just before they left to get home in time for supper.

For when, after dark, we drank one last sweet, delicious cup of punch and put the rest away.

Now, while Frank and his sister look at old family photos, I come to the kitchen to wash the punch bowl. It has been soaking in the sink, the last dish left out in a tidied up and somehow empty house.

What I love about women…

 is the way we gather as a community to celebrate other women. We seem to do it almost instinctually, at every major milestone. Recently we gathered here at my home near Chicago for a baby shower for my daughter Shannon.

A Michigan contingent of my family showed up early and helped hang decorations, laughing and talking and remembering other family events we’d gathered for.

Shannon’s graduate-school friends flew in from all parts of the US, to laugh and talk and hug and reunite their community. And to be with Shannon for this special event in her life.

Frank’s sister flew up from New Orleans to celebrate with us.

And we all became one community, gathered together to celebrate a new baby, with joy.

Every woman who came brought the best present, the gift of herself and her time.

Brought her happiness to be added together into a large cup of joy for this special day, this special moment.

What I love about punch bowls…

is that they are an elegant, beautiful, timeless way to say: You are special.  We are taking the time to make a moment for you. To Celebrate. To make a lasting memory. 

Like the wave-drawn ripples of sand left behind on the beach as the water retreats to the sea, pink sudsy ridges of raspberry sorbet-ginger-ale-foam remain on the sides of the now-empty punch bowl.

The top line for when Shannon and her friends arrived and the baby shower began.

The next line as the punch bowl starts to empty, glasses of punch served up to go with the quiche, the French toast casserole with drizzled pecan topping, the fresh fruit, the chilled asparagus.

The next few lines as women come and go, like brightly-colored birds, taking second helpings, refilling punch glasses, catching up on each other’s lives. Laughing. Making origami animals for a mobile for the baby’s room; writing words of advice and encouragement in a memory book for Shannon.

Another ridge as the punch bowl stands unattended; for we have gathered in the sunroom. For a few words to mark the occasion. For the opening of presents.

As I clean the ridges off the bowl, I remember the joy of a lovely day. A high tide moment. A wonderful group celebration. A special day out of time.

When the punch bowl is clean, I set it on my dining room table to finish drying. I stand back to admire for a moment the little glass beads on the rim of the punch bowl, to remember how beautiful the entire set of candlewick crystal is with the cups and saucers and plates and bowls, all clear glass rimmed with matching glass beads.

I love having this beautiful object from my past back in my home to enjoy and cherish for the night. But tomorrow I will wrap it in bubble wrap and give it back to my daughter Shannon. Which leads me to the second thing I love about women: how we nurture one another and continue to nurture each other, but in different ways, filling different roles, as our lives unfold.

That is another story, for my next blog.

For tonight, it is enough just to remember. Remember a lovely day with a community of women who gathered together to celebrate life and its goodness.