The party was going fine until a misunderstanding occurred. Several friends and their families had been invited to a casual party at our home in the country. Our home needed work and it had been tempting to wait to invite company until all work was complete, but the money situation we faced would only allow minimal and necessary repairs to be done and we wanted to invite people over sooner than when the repairs were done. Many were church friends and we had also invited some neighbors we didn’t know well, making it quite a mixed group. The party was being held outside since the weather was nice in late summer and all were relaxing and having fun – good, clean fun.
Volleyball was
being played by several, some were sitting at the bonfire, and there were
various activities going on with much laughter. Our party ideas didn’t include
paying for grand activities and we hoped all would enjoy the simple games we
set out and it seemed to be happening, to my great relief. I rushed to get the
last of the food on the outdoor table where the picnic food was being placed
for the potluck dinner. Other tables and chairs were set up, but some people
would have to stand or sit on a blanket on the ground and thankfully, no one
seemed to mind.
When the meal was
ready, we called everyone over to the table area where they quieted down so my
husband could pray and thank God for the food. After the prayer, I gave quick
instructions about the food line and where the beverages were, so the line
formed while people filled their plates with the appetizing food. We were
thankful to have so many wonderful people around us and treasured these new
friends.
Being rather new
to the area, we had gradually made a few friends and this was our first real
party, so I had been a bit nervous, wanting people to like us and wanting all
to go well. I had to admit, the party was a success and I allowed myself to enjoy
the relief of that.
Times had been
tough in the last couple of years since my husband had lost his job and changed
to a job which paid less. We had been selling what we could from the house, to
help make ends meet and I posted things online, and then acted as dispatcher
when someone called and wanted an item, meaning I set up the time one of the
family members could meet them at a nearby gas station to sell whatever was
being sold or I would meet them myself. We had already sold several things and as bills continued, I had to
dig deeper to sell things I hadn’t wanted to sell, but we really needed the
money, so I was trusting God to provide for us in this way and He was.
I was frugal, by nature, but even I couldn’t
stretch the money as far as it needed to stretch, though I had expanded my frugal habits. I had
been actively gardening and harvesting wild foods, which most people call
weeds, and had been surprised at the number of new foods I had found… foods
that were edible and nutritious and free. My new harvests had included
purslane, dandelions, violets and redbud flowers in our salads. I found that
pine needles have a good amount of vitamin C, so I made tea with those and many
more foods were found. My interest in herbs and natural health was a bonus in
helping me to research all of this. I had made regular foods for the picnic,
though, and wasn’t trying any of my new ideas on friends.
So far, we had
sold an unused seed spreader, an extra grill and more of those types of
items. I had pared down my kitchen bowls
and pans and sold many of those, as well as a couple of chairs I had never
liked and a cabinet I would miss. The beautiful rose china set from my
grandmother had been difficult to part with, but the money it brought helped
to pay the electric bill, buy shoes for one of our sons and buy groceries for
this party. I was thankful and still felt so blessed by God. Our family was
close and we were together and learning to trust God more and more.
At the moment, I had about three dozen
items posted online for sale and when someone wanted to meet, we tried to make
it happen as soon as possible in order to not lose a sale. When I received an
email from someone, I sent them meeting information and a contact number which
was usually my husband’s unless he was at work. A couple of our sons were also
able to meet and sell items, which helped a lot, but coordinating selling times
with family work schedules had proved to be challenging. We were making it
work, but I would be glad when it was no longer necessary, if that day ever
came.
A question from
my daughter nudged me from my thoughts and I turned my attention to her as she
said my husband was trying to get my attention, so I looked to where he
stood on the other side of the table. I was delighted the party was going so
well, but surprised he was on his cell phone. He covered the mouthpiece to
ask me “Honey, where is the pot? I need the pot!” He was in a frantic hurry
because a sale needed to be made and the people were almost to the gas station meeting place, but
couldn’t wait long.
I wished people
would give us more warning, but we had experienced this before and I knew we
could do it. I raised my voice and called to my son, who was a few yards
away. “Dad needs the pot so he can go sell it. Hurry and get it, please.” The son rushed to do my bidding, while my
husband finished his conversation, ready to grab the pot and go sell it. Only
then, did I realize the laughter had ceased and people looked concerned. There
was some whispering, but the conversations had quieted to an uncomfortable
level. As hostess, I knew I need to fix whatever the problem was, but I wasn’t
sure what was going on.
One woman cautiously
asked, “You’re selling something like that?” I replied that we were selling
many things because we really needed the money more than the items. We really liked the pot, but could do without
it and needed the money it would bring. She looked surprised and her frown indicated
disapproval. I looked around, surprised at the continued quiet and serious-looking
faces. Our party was going so well until then and I wondered WHAT had happened.
I felt panic rise inside, but needed to play it cool since I was the hostess,
though I felt like crying. I wondered if they disapproved of my husband leaving
the party and hoped he would be quick to return.
Just then, our
son came out of the house with the large glazed ceramic pot and saucer my
husband needed to take to sell. He grabbed it from our son and rushed to the
vehicle to go meet the people. I was glad we would get the money from the pot
as it would be a help. Hearing more conversation again, I turned back to the
people and though relieved, I still didn’t know what had happened.
Seeing some
smiles and smirks, I was confused until the same woman who had questioned me
earlier, asked, “Was that the POT you were selling?” When I said yes, chuckles
started and then outright laughter and I finally put it all together.
“You mean, you
thought we were selling pot, like marijuana?” When she nodded and laughter
continued, I sputtered, “We wouldn’t even consider doing that.” I was horrified.
“Oh, my, I’m so sorry. I guess I need to be more careful of how I say things in
the future.” Thankfully, the party got back on track and finished well and the
pot sold. One man congratulated me on having such a fun party and laughed about
pot, while I cringed, and gave a polite little smile.
Katherine J Masters 11-14-2020
