The Last Lunch

Instead of the last supper, I just had the last lunch. But hopefully instead of looking to die, I’m looking to LIVE!

This was the one lunch I didn’t arrange. My long-time colleague Doug in his typical fashion created the perfect lunch. The food, the people, the gifts were all carefully thought out. There were no tears because it was such a positive experience.

The closest thing to a speech happened first. Doug said some nice things and then presented me with a $100 gift certificate to Politics & Prose and two season tickets to a chamber music series at the Kennedy Center. Bula, one of the world’s best Indian cooks, handed me a bag of mangos. I said just a few things.

Then we turned to food. This is where working with a diverse bunch of people comes in handy. There was a smorgasbord of wonderful spicy food, mostly of Chinese, Korean, and Indian cuisine. A marvelous chocolate cake topped with the biggest strawberries ever provided dessert.

Not only was the current IT staff invited, but people from the past, like Jonah, Lynn, Scot, and Ken, came as well. A few others drifted by the door and were invited in by the delightful aromas. My husband even came, a little late as usual.

In keeping with my recent discoveries at other lunches, I learned that Scot sings in an a capella group. He agreed to invite me to their next concert. And I found out that Lynn is going to a live recording of Peter Schickele doing PDQ Bach in June. He sent me the link to get tickets.

Posted over the magnificent food table was the following verse:

Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.
If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,
this is the best season of your life.

Wu-men

I intend to find out just how good it can be. Now I am off to coffee with another colleague as the clock ticks down. One more trip to Suitland. One more day of work. And then it will be over.