There are a host of things that come with a price tag. 

 

That small detail does tend to keep most of us jumping through employment hoops. I remember a bumper sticker that said it concisely.

 

"I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."

 

Yet there are other things, some of great value, which cost nothing. 

 

Once my son's tribe came over to munch chips and salsa and talk about stuff. I was in the kitchen, when one of his friends came to find me.

 

"Hello, Mrs. Odhner. Thank you for having us." I was delighted. I greeted him in return and remarked about having seen his mother recently. It was simple. Yet it was memorable enough that I am telling you now. 

 

Congeniality is slipping away. Is this because we are all fine with that? I remember with fondness a particularly genteel friend who would always greet my family at the door when we visited, and without fail would walk us to our car when we left. I felt wanted. 

 

I have not succeeded in emulating her behavior. My excuse for twenty years was that I was holding the baby, and so I trained visitors to walk right in. I never escorted them to the door. I am not proud of this. 

 

I could treat John with more grace. Granted it is nice to feel comfortable enough to pick your teeth and burp with someone who is not going away. But perhaps that quality has had its heyday long enough. I think it is time to ramp up other fine attributes that round out personal exchanges. I could treat John as if he were an esteemed guest.