Interview: Meredith and Cindy

October 4, 2015

Meredith: Cindy, you’ve been at L’Arche for 28 years. That’s a long time, and a lot of people to welcome.
Cindy: Yeah
Meredith: At the retreat last month, we talked about welcome. What does welcome mean to you?
Cindy: Welcome means to be nice, friendly. Like with new assistants and guests.
Meredith: Do you remember how you experienced welcome when you first moved here?
Cindy: I was kind of afraid at first. I didn’t know any-one. But we started talking and hanging out and doing different things on the weekends, and it was fun.
Meredith: How do you think welcome in L’Arche has changed for you and the community?
Cindy: I like meeting new people. I think that if they did not come I would not have met them.
Meredith: How do you think our community can grow in welcome?
Cindy: I’d like to go to new places, where we can meet new people. Like on the streets- in the things we do. On the bus and at Burger-ville. I’d tell people that L’Arche is a nice place. We go out to lunch and like having people over to dinner.
Meredith: Cindy, I am touched by the ways you connect with guests. Sometimes welcoming a new per-son means saying goodbye. How does that feel?
Cindy: Sometimes I am sad when I miss them. You get used to someone and then they leave. But new people come.
Meredith: Yes, I’m excited to welcome Maggie, Han-nah, Nicole and Sofie.
Cindy: Me too! They seem nice. (Cindy pets the cat) I’m glad I welcomed Moki. I love him.
Meredith: I am grateful for your welcome Cindy. Thank you for talking with me.