“Too often the stumbling block to meeting our neighbors is the front door. By being outside in the front yard, The Turquoise Table eliminates that obstacle.”
How great is this quote from my friend Susan? She has a heart for connection, and has truly embraced the Front Yard People spirit. With two kids away at college and the other a busy high school student, Susan isn’t quite an empty-nester, but she is feeling the effects of a quieter, less chaotic home. With more free time than she had been used to in quite a while, Susan felt called to doing something new, something “outside of an introvert’s comfort zone.” Late last summer Susan put a Turquoise Table in her yard, and that decision has been a very fruitful one.
“This idea just really spoke to me, and from the beginning the response has been so overwhelmingly positive,” Susan says. “We have had probably 20 table events already – a Super Moon party, National Night Out, Halloween, a couple of birthdays, and of course plenty of coffee chats. The connections it has generated are numerous, and it makes me so happy to see my Turquoise Table every time I drive up to the house.”
Susan’s table makes others happy too – and has been from the first day it was there. Even before she had gotten a second coat of turquoise paint on her new table last summer, it was doing its job. As Susan was returning home that day she drove past members of the middle school cross country team, who were training for the season ahead. Still then in the grips of Texas summer heat, Susan hurried to get cups of cold water out on the table before the team ran past her house. Sure enough the kids stopped – so grateful for the refreshment – and they introduced themselves to Susan and shook her hand. The coach was even familiar with The Turquoise Table movement and shared its purpose with his team!
Since then many neighbors and friends have visited Susan’s table. One stopped to tell Susan how much she loves the table and shared that she had put her hand on it to bless it. Another neighbor asked Susan about the table and learned about its intention, only to then stop Susan a few weeks later to inform her that she too had purchased and painted a Turquoise Table.
Now that the holiday season is upon us, Susan has been inspired to share a whole lot of turquoise cheer. She is gifting one family member who lives in a condo with a set of turquoise folding chairs, to provide a portable Front Yard People experience. She is giving her friends various turquoise presents as well – turquoise glass bottles, turquoise tree ornaments and turquoise table squares – along with a card that has a link to The Turquoise Table video.
“Instead of giving the usual baked goods or gift cards, I can give something that has a long-lasting impact,” says Susan.
My heart is so warm with gratitude for Susan and all of you who have come on this journey with me. You continue to introduce more and more people to The Turquoise Table, inspire others to join us, and further the mission: Everyone is welcome to join – everyone belongs.
Thank you!
“One stopped to tell Susan how much she loves the table and shared that she had put her hand on it to bless it.” <—– How beautiful is that? So heartwarming to see the way God is blessing this movement, Kristin. Peace to you, sister.
LOVE this – thanks so much for sharing it. Got stopped by the same sentence Deidra did – lovely, lovely.
My neighbor Jess and I teamed up and made our turquoise table. She built the table and I painted it. We have since had Saturday morning coffee and doughnuts, watermelon Wednesday and Ice Cream “Sundays.” So blessed to come across your initiative one day, God had a plan….