An Evening with Ms. Sande’s Village
By R.L. Witter
Spring has sprung. Most of us immediately think of renewal during this season. The new flowers, young animals, The Resurrection, etc. I recently attended a gathering intended to renew acquaintanceships and introduce these friends to those friends, new friends to old friends, etc.
Ms. Sande hosted the gathering at her lovely home. She’s become an “auntie” to me; I met her through her niece’s childhood best friend, who is also a dear friend of mine. As Ms. Sande is an elder, I offered to come early to help her set things up and attend to any last-minute details before the other guests arrived. As I carried in cases of water, sliced tomatoes and onions, and got the playlist in order, Ms. Sande excused herself to get showered and dressed to receive her guests. Soon, the doorbell began ringing and I became the temporary hostess, introducing myself to some and reconnecting with others each time I answered the door and welcomed people into her home.
I immediately noticed how beautiful all of the ladies were and how handsome the gentlemen were as well! There was a stunning woman with her closely-cropped, blonde afro wearing oversized black glasses with a kaftan that when I looked more closely, depicted a shapely woman with intricate braids.
Next came neighbors from across the street and their adorable little girls. They greeted me as if they had known me forever, complete with tag-team hugs from the daughters.
As more guests arrived, it seemed as though each couple was more charming than the last. Women wearing gold, hoop earrings and bangles that made music as they moved their arms while talking and laughing, and men wearing spring fedoras and flowy shirts adorned with palm trees with sleek shoes made for dancing on a spring evening.
Once our hostess joined the party, the food was presented and blessed.
Plates were filled and Ms. Sande announced, “Don’t sit with your spouse! Meet a new friend or catch up with an old one.” I sat at a table with five other women. I asked how everyone knew Ms. Sande. They were her sorors from Delta Sigma Theta.
I should’ve guessed that as three of them were wearing red.
After dinner, I strolled around offering bite-sized desserts and chatted with a group of men and women seated beneath the gazebo.
They were members of Ms. Sande’s church family. They had only known her for the three or four years since she moved to the area, but they all expressed real fondness for her and loved that I had adopted her as an auntie. They invited me to worship with them the next morning or any future Sunday morning.
I encountered some of her Links, Inc. friends, and men representing the Alpha Phi Alpha and Omega Psi Phi fraternities. There were also a few military men who kept my husband company at the grill. As the evening went on there was laughter, dancing, and a game of cards; one man stood up and announced he was having
“an Alpha moment” as he began to
“stroll.” Two other men joined in and a time was had!
As the evening ended and I helped clean up, I realized why everyone was so beautiful and handsome.
Each one of them was open-hearted and welcoming. They were all rooted in faith or service and shared brother or sisterhood. I hope everyone has a Ms. Sande, a place in her village, and a seat at her table. What an incredible blessing.-
