RICK HERRICK

508-693-8065

(herricklr@verizon.net)

I invited myself to dinner the other night at the home of Pat and Mimi Carroll for a little comic relief. There were 21 family members there in addition to Pat and Mimi — the Criglers, Pam and Jeremy with Amelia (15) and Elizabeth (12); the Leonards, Suzie and Rob, with John (13), Rob (12), Mary Kate (10), and Abe (8); the Berzins, Margaret and Mark with Clare (13), Caroline (12), Patrick (9), and Bridget (5); and the Carrolls, Ward and Heather with Emma (11), Margaret (8), and Will (6).

I had hoped to find chaos. That’s the stuff that sells newspapers, but instead there was an impressive order to the affair that was both informal and friendly. Mimi sipped wine, and smiled a lot. It was obvious that she had surrendered control. The meal of fish tacos was prepared by Rob and Suzy Leonard. It was their night.

While Rob and Suzy worked in the kitchen, the parents assembled on the porch that overlooks the yacht club for cocktails. The kids played games in the backyard. When I asked Pam about grocery shopping, she replied that everyone gets involved. There are lots of lists, and they get filled. Wow, what a refrigerator! Expenses are divided evenly between the four families. Receipts are placed in a cookie jar. Accounts are settled at the end of each week.

When I asked Margaret if there were differences in parenting styles that caused conflict, she said not really. Yes, there are differing styles, but there are no real conflicts because it is Pat and Mimi’s house. It was obvious that the cousins were having a great time together. The house runs smoothly because the kids are older now. The only one who takes a nap is Grandpa Pat, and there’s no need to keep the house quiet for that. Pat merely turns off his hearing aid.

Dinner was never formally announced. Family members just seemed to know. Around 6:45 p.m., both kids and adults began to gather around the island in the kitchen. The fare was sumptuous and colorful. When Rob gave the signal, everyone served their own plate. The 13 kids began eating at the dining room table after Bridget sang grace. The adults retired to a smaller table off from the living room. After dinner, Pat led the girls in doing the dishes. It was their night.

This was not “Camp Carroll.” It was too informal. The atmosphere was easy and friendly. The setting was elegant. My margarita at cocktails was the best. The food was delicious. It’s wonderful how the Vineyard seems to make this magic happen.

Dr. John Hargreaves, son of Jack and Ute Hargreaves, is back in Iraq as a member of a Provincial Reconstruction Team. PRTs are organized in every province in Iraq. They are run by the State Department, and are responsible for nation building. John has a PhD in biology, and is advising the Iraqi government in how to rehabilitate agriculture in that war torn country. For fascinating insights on this crucial task of nation building, consult John’s blog (iraquaculture.blogspot.com).

For those of you having trouble sleeping at night, try my blog on the New Testament (thebiblicalliteracyproject.blogspot.com). My son, the doctor, highly recommends it.