Modern Day Quilting Bee

Back in the day, quilting bees were held in order for women to work together on a project.  Women would work on their quilts, but if they were stuck at a certain point, or if they needed help to finish a quilting project on time for a special occasion, other women in the area would come help them.  Usually there was one skilled quilter in the area who would teach those less experienced.  When quilting bees were held, food and drink was enjoyed by all.  Work was accomplished.  And of course there was the social element.  Women felt less isolated when they shared work and food with each other.
Tonight I participated in what can only be described as a modern-day version of a quilting bee.  More than two dozen of us gathered at my Friend Mel's house to work on Irving School's Staff Appreciation Lunch that is tomorrow.  We assembled food, cut jazz performers out of cardboard, painted masks, ate, drank and socialized until the wee hours.  Mel has headed this committee for seven years now, and she is clearly our "skilled quilter."  While the rest of us have our head around a portion of the project, it's Mel's ability to see the big picture that allows all the pieces to come together so perfectly.
While I was sitting at a table with three other moms tearing lettuce leaves that will be part of tomorrow's Shimp Po' Boy, one of the moms remarked, "It's so great to be here working together like this.  I feel like I haven't seen anyone in months and months.  What a great way to reconnect!"
I couldn't agree more.