The Story of "mamadee"

My book study on Wednesday morning has been reading Lauren Winner's short book entitled Mudhouse Sabbath. It is a non-fiction piece that relates the story of Lauren's conversion from the Jewish faith to that of a Protestant, an Episcopalian. In her chapter on hospitality, Lauren makes the point that God created a home for us, the earth, and therefore we have an obligation to open our homes to others. She says, "To invite people into our homes is to respond with gratitude to the God who made a home for us." My sister-in-law's mother, "mamadee," personified the trait of hospitality. She died earlier this month in Kansas.

In her obituary we were told, "Although she and her husband John had 3 children born to them, they were parents to many more. She loved people and people loved her. She and John hosted numerous foreign exchange people over the years from many different countries." In addition, she had several "chosen" daughters as well. Mamadee's life has reminded me of the famous quote from missionary Jim Elliot who said, "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Or, in the words of my former Sunday School teacher, "no one has ever seen a hearse pulling a U-haul." Mamadee lived simply and gave away all she had to others.

I was the recepient of her hospitality three years ago in the fall. My husband and I had had a difficult summer including death of a close family member, placement of a father in a health facility, moves from two houses, financial concerns, etc. My sister-in-law Jan and I went by Mamadee's small apartment one day in early fall. I felt the stress in my life was great, and perhaps with a sense of that in both our lives, Mamadee greeted us with grace. She served us a "teashop" lunch of chicken salad sandwiches, tea, cream cheese and jalapeno dip, crackers, and dessert. Her table was decorated with autumn candles and pumpkins welcoming in the new season. I felt not only welcomed by her hospitality but that I had also become one of her new "chosen" daughters. It was the beginning of a personal renewal of life and hope for me.

Not everyone is blessed with the gift of hospitality as Mamadee was; after all, the Bible includes it in its list of spiritual gifts. Mamadee did not leave her heirs with many material belongings, but I believe she fully exemplified Jesus' command to "love your neighbor."