For my Composition I class, one of our first assignments was to write a narrative essay. The essay could be written in either 1st or 3rd person and we could choose our topic from a list of three. My essay topic: If you could choose to invite three people-living or dead to dinner, who and why would you invite them? I am happy to report that I have earned a 90/A on that essay and that my teachers major concerns were to have me work on sentence structure (I missed quite a few commas) and to refrain from using contractions in formal writing. So without further ado, here is my essay (with corrections made):
The Dinner Party
The table is set, dinner is just about cooked, and the guests should arrive shortly. The menu for the evening is a simple menu of Shrimp Creole served with a side salad and warm, buttered French bread that is sure to satisfy the taste buds of all in attendance. Tonight's dinner party is sure to be a memorable event, considering how extremely dear to the hearts of my family members each guest is revered. This will also be a once in a lifetime event that is sure to never happen again.
As we finish our final preparations, the arrival of the first guest is announced by the doorbell. Upon opening the door, I can see that this guest is a handsome young man, perhaps about twenty years of age. He stands just over six feet in height with broad shoulders, dark hair, blue eyes, a warm smile and a little patch of hair just below the center of his bottom lip. He is dressed in a suit but has managed to combine it with a pair of tennis shoes and a flat--billed ball cap. The kids immediately rush forward to greet him with great hugs and kisses. I cannot help but to become a little chocked up with the overwhelming emotions of having him here before me. As the tears stream down my face, I reach out and embrace our guest. His hug is strong, and I am filled with a sense of joy, mixed with remorse, but am grateful for the opportunity to spend this evening with him in our home and at our table. He is invited in, and we talk as the children run around and incessantly beg him to play games with them.
Shortly after the arrival of our first guest, we are greeted again with a soft rapping sound emanating from the front door, signaling the arrival of our next guest. This guest is a small and frail elderly woman, no taller than about 5'3". She has white hair that is neatly curled and brushed and is wearing a pink satin-like skirt suit. She appears to be a little confused and possibly afraid as she stands before me; then she looks to my eyes and suddenly she understands. As we embrace, I can smell that familiar smell of body powder that she once used on a daily basis. I immediately escort her into my home and introduce her to my family. She is already quite familiar with our first guest. After helping her to a seat and ensuring her comfort, we encourage the children to visit with and get to know our new guest. There are many changes in my life that I want to catch her up on but the most important of them is my family.
A little later, another sound is heard outside. This time the sound is not one of someone knocking on the front door but rather standing there talking to himself. I become aware almost immediately that this someone must be our third and final guest for the evening. He sounds a bit unsure of his choice to attend. I encourage my husband to answer the door this time, being as this guest is more for him than it is for me. As he opens the door, he is greeted by an elderly man, perhaps in his seventies, whom he knows is a stranger yet seems to be extremely familiar at the same time. The two men stand motionless for several moments as they gaze upon each other in disbelief. Finally my husband invites our guest inside and introduces him to the family and other guests. With everyone now in attendance, we may all sit and begin dinner.
Throughout dinner the conversations and interactions between our family and guests seemed to flow, just as simply as water flows in a stream. There were so many things to talk about, to learn and to divulge in such a short amount of time. The bonds that were previously formed grew stronger while new bonds were developed. My great-grandmother, Mildred Clarke (b. May 10, 1910 - d. July 17, 1999) was being given the opportunity to see my current life and know her great great-grandchildren. My husband was finally being given the opportunity to see and know his estranged father, Gordon Huff (b. April 17, 1931 - d. May 18, 2004). I was blessed with the opportunity to spend one last evening with my nephew/godson, Justin Duplantier (b. October 29, 1990 - d. July 14, 2011), and to hear his recounts of what happened on the day that he decided to take his own life. Our children were elated to recite stories of things we have done and places we have visited for our guests. My husband and I were glad for the opportunity to tell the stories of how our family came to be and how we ended up where we are currently in life. My Great-Grandmother and Justin (also her great great-grandson) talked about how they would remain close to one another in the afterlife and help God in watching over their loved ones here on Earth. Most importantly we were all happy for the opportunity that was being granted to us from God; the opportunity to have that final moment with loved ones we lost.
As our time together drew to an end, we gathered up this odd group together for one last photo. This was definitely a night worth documenting. We then said our farewells and watched as they took leave in turn, just as they had arrived. As they returned to the loving arms and care of our lord we knew that they would forever remain in our hearts and memories.
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