Dinner marks the end of an era and helps roll back the pandemic

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“I didn't like him at first.  Husband Marni Jameson, DC, left, and carpet merchant Hakan Zor.

The dinner occasion was fairly straightforward. Our friend Hakan Zor, a carpet merchant from Turkey, was visiting.

However, the implications were greater.

“We’re not in the market for more rugs, but would love to see you,” I wrote in response to Hakan’s text message letting me know he was in town. I was so relieved to hear from him.

Like so many businesses, his had suffered during the pandemic. The cruise ships on which his carpet store in Turkey is based were beached, and so was he. He couldn’t travel to the United States to see clients, the basis of the rest of his business.

“I’m going to invite some friends over,” I said, as if it was normal.

A few nights later, seven of us – two couples from the neighborhood, my husband and I, and Hakan – were sitting around my dining room table, eating, talking and laughing. I noticed a strange sensation in my chest, a sensation that I hadn’t felt in quite some time: joy.

After 15 months of hibernation, only go out when necessary armed with a face mask and hand sanitizer, stay away from humanity, perpetually accompanied by dark feelings of foreboding, organize a incredibly cheeky dinner.

And I did it with impunity.

We were all fully vaccinated, relieved and ready to leave this era behind us. We were also grateful for what we took until 15 months ago for granted: the simple act of bringing together.

“This period reminds us that creating art, being together, participating in rituals, is something that humans will always need to do,” historian Keith Johnston of Canada said in a recent interview with the radio which seemed faithful to me. “We do well when we find ways to do it well. “

Johnston compared the recent pandemic to the one that swept through Naples, Italy in 1656.

“The Neapolitans have lost their connection to social life and civic traditions,” he said. But, after the shared experience of the pandemic, the city celebrated with a 10-day festival. “Art played an important role in the lives of Neapolitans during this period, not only for its aesthetics, but also for its supposed ability to heal people.”

Heal, indeed. Perhaps that is why an impromptu dinner with an ancient art form as inspiration was so relevant, as exactly the way to put a period on the end of the pandemic.

As I looked at the table and those around me, the candles glowed more magically. The crystal had more sparkle. My friends felt dearer.

Of course, the fact that we were also talking about art, in this case of rugs, as an interior decoration brought the evening to a peak of perfection in my mind. (My husband, DC, might disagree on this point.)

DC poured wine. We took turns raising our cups and toasting:

“To some friends.”

“For health.”

“To freedom. “

“Live.”

“To joy. “

After dinner, Hakan, who always brings a van full of rugs he shipped, unrolled some of his wares and talked about the ancient art of Turkish carpet-making, a tradition that dates back centuries and several. generations in his own family.

He taught us the finesse of weaving, the subtleties and legends of the patterns, the origin of the dyes and the expert hands that tie each tiny knot. Hungry for connection, we all listened intently.

In private, I smiled at the road traveled. When Hakan and I met six years ago, I didn’t like him at all. I was a skeptic with folded arms. Stereotypically, I had put him (the Turkish carpet merchant) on the same side as the snake oil vendor and the bridge vendor.

Through relentless patience, Hakan conquered me and chiseled away my ignorance until I came to appreciate both him and this art form.

At the end of the evening, a small rug has kind of found a permanent home next to our front door, where it marks for me a symbol of the post-pandemic moment when we reopened our front door to the world. .

The timing of the pandemic from the present to the past is different for everyone. For some, it may be the first day they return to school or work. To some, the pandemic may still seem present, but it was my moment.

Once you feel comfortable and safe doing it, and are – not that I’ll ever tell you what to do – vaccinated, here are several ways to happily put the pandemic in your past and celebrate as it is. 1656:

• Organize dinner. Host lots of dinners. You don’t need to have a reason beyond “because we can”.

• Kiss your neighbors. Open your arms and doors.

• Obtain a work of art to commemorate this time and to remind you that the creation and sharing of art has united societies since the beginning of civilization.

• Practice gratitude. Appreciate the many little moments we have long taken for granted, being about to walk into a store without a mask, holding a baby, taking a trip, having lunch with a friend.

• Zoom out. Go out and see the people in person.

• Come back to life. If you can, go hear and feel the live music. Visit a museum. See the theater live. Discover life outside of a two-dimensional screen. Embrace art and life in all its dimensions.

You can reach author Marni Jameson at www.marnijameson.com.

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