“Thanks for bringing the coffee, Basil.”
“I always bring the coffee, Margaret.”
Margaret looked up at Basil and grinned, “I know. I appreciate that, so I thank you.”
Basil twisted the lid off the thermos. “That’s one of the things I love about you, Margaret, besides your pie. You are always thanking everyone.”
Gladys adjusted her skirt as she approached the others. “It kind of sounded like you were calling us together for a meeting, Margaret.”
Margaret handed Gladys a thin slice of lemon meringue. “It’s more of a Going Away Party, dear.”
Just then, Jon road up on his skateboard. “Who’s going away?”
Margaret handed Jon a larger slice of pie and said, “I am.”
Basil grinned. “Nice, Margaret. It’s your time to return? I’ll miss you, but I’m happy for you. Are you excited?”
Through a mouthful of lemon meringue, Jon said, “Cool!”
Gladys perched on top of a grave marker. “I’m thrilled for you Margaret! Tell us, what are you hoping for? What do you want to learn? Who do you hope to see? Oh! I can’t wait for my turn to return!”
Before taking another bite, Jon asked, “How many times have you returned, Margaret?”
“Oh, dear. I’ve lost track. Really.” She paused a moment, then looked up at the sky and said, “I have no idea.” Margaret wiped her hands on her apron and reached for the coffee Basil had poured for her. She looked at her friends. “You all ask good questions. I’ve been contemplating this next return. You know, it’s funny, Jon. I’m not apprehensive about the returns anymore, so I guess that says I’ve returned enough times to get the hang of it, so to speak. I look forward to them.” She chuckled and took another sip. “Yes, Basil, I am excited to return. And to your questions, Gladys. Well, of course I’m prepared to learn more. After all, that is the whole point of the return. As to what I hope to learn, I have to say, I’m hoping to learn something other than service.” Again, she laughed and took a bite of pie.
Basil said, “But service is just about the highest calling.”
Jon looked at Basil, “What’s the highest calling?” Basil replied, “Fishing, of course.” All four laughed as Basil poured himself another half inch of coffee.
Gladys smiled, “I’d be pretty tired of serving if I were you, Margaret. You’ve elevated service to a new level. It’s about time someone served you for a change!”
Margaret laughed. “That sounds like you, Gladys. But honestly, I’m sure I’m not done serving. That’s who I am. But I am tired. Serving, thinking about how to serve, thinking about who to serve, and wondering if I’m doing enough… It’s exhausting. It’s not that I want pampering in the next go-round, although I wouldn’t turn that down.” Basil and Jon looked at each other and winked. “But maybe I’ll learn a new way to serve that doesn’t leave me so tired. I hope I learn how to serve others while serving myself, too. Does that make sense? Gladys, sometimes I think you’ve already got that figured out.”
Gladys laughed. “Well, we all know that my scale tips in the direction of serving myself before others.” Gladys smoothed the pleats of her skirt. “I’m not always sure that’s a good thing, but I also don’t feel the need to change.” They all chuckled as they nodded in agreement.
Margaret stood up to get ready to serve another piece of pie. “See what I mean? My need to serve others is automatic. I would like to get my scale to a balanced point where I can serve myself and others. And as far as who I hope to see…” Margaret reached for the pie server. “I know I’ll be seeing you all again, at some point. We certainly won’t be in the same roles, but I’ll run into you, for sure. Jon, I hope you’ll be older.” Jon said, “Me, too!”
Basil said, “Maybe we’ll do a little fishing together, Margaret!” Margaret laughed and said, “I suspect we’ve already done that, Basil. But we’ll most likely be doing something together again.”
Margaret sat down and sighed. “I’m ready for a rest. I’m ready to take stock in what I’ve learned, and get prepared for the next lessons.” She looked at Jon. “How do you younger folks put it? Recharge batteries? I need to recharge my battery.” She reached behind to untie her apron.
Jon reached out and said, “Here, Margaret. Maybe it’s my turn to serve?” She hung the apron on a branch of a nearby tree and turned to hug Jon. “You don’t need an apron to serve, dear.”