©IBKimage2012

Picture this: A beautifully appointed table; napkins folded in creative ways; fresh coffee and tea in pots atop a lit warming unit; platters and plates and baskets filled with beautiful torts, cakes,breads and freshly baked hard rolls with oh so soft centers; area butter, soft boiled eggs , honey, local sausages in casings and raw; artisan cheeses, local/regional fresh and smoked fish from the North Sea; and so much more.  I experienced all of this and so many more culinary delights in my two week stay in an area of Southern Ditmarschen County in the Northwest Coastal area in the State Schlewsig Holstein, near the town of Meldorf, Germany, where I was born and lived until emigrating with my family at age 6, and where my mother and father, grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousin also resided in their adult years.  Breakfast and “kaffe trinken” (afternoon coffee) are standard practice.

We came as a family – sons, daughter-in-law,husband – to honor my late mother’s wish to have us spread her ashes on her beloved North Sea.  Along with my hosts later in the trip – dear friends –  adult children of her former best friend, we took an excursion boat on a stormy day at sea and said our final goodbyes. After a couple of days the rest of the family traveled on to other parts of Germany (yes Oktoberfest too) and then returned home.  I was the privileged guest in the home of our friends for the next ten days and that’s where I continued to be nourished by the wonderful food mentioned above. At the table of hospitality, it’s not only the body that is nourished, but through  the gracious gift of love and kindness by the hosts, one’s heart and soul and mind are also touched in profound ways.  “I was hungry, depleted, and you took me in …”  What I thought would be a final trip to my former home, is now a longing to return again to experience the healing of the North Sea air,water, wandering and of course, experiencing the love of God through his children with their unique and wonderful gifting -whether at hearth  or field; by baker, fishmonger,market vendor, hotel or restaurant owner to name just a few.

Oh, today’s image is a picture of all kinds  of  regional North Sea fish specialities prepared by my friend and hostess.  We ate it for supper after a three o’clock “coffee” where we ate two kinds of torts and other delicious things.

I’m looking forward to sharing more with you in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, think about a time when you’ve experienced the gift of hospitality and renewal.  What does that look like for you?

IBK