The goodness in people

Every now and then something happens that restores your faith in humanity. I haven't been feeling particularly negative about the goodness in the human race recently but it was so lovely to have a wonderful experience. A close friend of mine is expecting her first baby in a months time and another friend suggested that we throw her a surprise baby shower. I love organising anything like that so I immediately got excited and started the planning. It has been so much fun to organise this with my friend, all the secretive emails and meetings, the surreptitious note making and texts. We work with the Mummy-to-be and more than once we both had to abruptly change the conversation or quickly hide something. We managed to invite a number of people including friends from outside work and her Mum, and we organised a buffet lunch followed by the obligatory games; including pin the dummy on the baby. Returning to the reason for this post, what struck me about the event was just how much effort everyone put in, and how willing everyone was to give up their time and effort and also contribute financially. We hosted the party at my house and this would usually spell out in large letters the word STRESS but this was certainly not the case. Several guests as well as my co-organiser with her two beautiful girls arrived early and helped with all the setting up and decorating. As people arrived bringing their items for the buffet they got stuck in and set it all out in an absolutely magnificent spread. I was also extremely grateful to a number of the guests who ensured that my house and my kitchen were left in a state of gleaming perfection. I'd turn around from talking to someone and see a guest with their hands in the sink washing up and another, tea towel in hand, drying up. I was even given two beautiful bunches of flowers and a bottle of wine to enjoy. It was such an amazing afternoon and I think the Mummy-to-be was overwhelmed by everyone's effort and generosity.Something I will never forget is the excitement of the big surprise moment and how it felt to be part of that experience. It was an amazing afternoon and it really showed me all my friends and colleagues at their awesome best.