You Are Welcome, Just As You Are.
Dear Friend,
One of the things I love most about At Her Table is that hospitality isn’t about putting on a show - it’s about presence. It’s about the courage to meet people where they’re at, the little details that quietly say “you matter,” and the gift of creating space where each of us can be seen and loved, just as we are.
At our recent At Her Table Way Community of Practice, we reflected on this together. We talked about the difference between performance and presence, and how it’s often the smallest gestures - lighting a candle, offering a warm smile, or preparing something simple and nourishing - that make the biggest impact.
This week, I’d love to invite you into the same reflection we shared at our table: When was a time you felt truly welcomed as you are?
Take a quiet moment to remember, and maybe even share your story with someone close to you or in our community Facebook group.
And here’s the beautiful thing: hospitality doesn’t stop at the table. Every day offers us small chances to extend it - through listening deeply, giving our time freely, and practicing kindness with those around us. A phone call, a walk with a friend, a moment of stillness with a loved one - these are all ways of saying, “you belong.”
My hope is that as you move through your week, you’ll carry this invitation with you: to notice the moments where presence matters more than perfection, and to offer the simple gift of yourself to those around you.
With love,
Lauren
Lauren Harkness
Canberra, ACT
Founder, At Her Table
