“We are not going to know anyone here tonight.” This was my warning comment to Rich, my husband, known to be a man of few words. Attending these events as a couple allows me to initiate conversations. I can even start one on a 47-second elevator ride.
The valet took our car, and we stepped into a majestic setting of rolling hills framed by a serene sunset. The spin of the evening was a wine challenge. Wine carafes, each marked with a corresponding number, and charcuterie boards drew you into various areas of the home. After reading a short description, you would match the wine. In five years, only two people have won, but they have consistently raised money, the ultimate goal.
We met a school nurse who had changed careers. She made this change after missing Christmas Eve with her 3-year-old. She knew she needed a plan B. We learned about the work of the Monmouth Conservation Foundation.
As luck would have it, we sat with an interesting couple who shared their passions and successes in Monmouth County. We talked about the reward versus risk paradox by retelling our personal stories. We engaged in the head-nodding dance as the list of common friends entered the conversation. I enjoy meeting people who share their narratives with me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation. Just as quickly as my admiration surfaced, it fell hard.
“As parents, we should talk to our children and encourage them to have their own opinions. The only thing they can not be is a liberal. We must teach them not to be a liberal”. And this is why our country is so divided.
foursetsofeyes 