His granddaughter’s wedding was one of those magical moments that only comes along a few times in a lucky person’s lifetime. At 88 years of age, the retired minister conducted the ceremony in a nearly-cleared barrel room of a Sonoma County winery.

The temperature in a barrel room is good for wine, but not so good for an 88 year old man. He was soon overtaken and quite uncomfortable in the cold. Bride and groom, mothers and fathers, so wrapped up in the festivities didn’t notice the old gentleman’s discomfort.

One person did, however. Caterer Amber Balshaw, gracefully hustling to set tables and present the first course, saw Papa Bob slumping in a chair and beginning to shiver.

“Are you okay?” she asked gently touching him on the shoulder.

He looked up. “Cold,” is all he said.

“Come with me.”

The better part of an hour went by before Bob’s absence was noted. A short search of the winery found the old man in an adjacent room, a much warmer one, headquarters for the catering crew and the cooking. Sitting in a chair where he could supervise the proceedings, he was asked to taste test each item before it was carried to the barrel room for guests. Comfortable, WARM, and smiling, one of those finest days of life was enhanced through the kindness of Amber and her crew. And that’s a little something extra that makes all the difference.

If you need a caterer in the California wine country, call Amber Balshaw at Sonoma Caterers. Phone: (707) 769-7208

Big thanks to reader Dave Delgardo for this story. Check him out at: https://thechurchoftheopenroad.blogspot.com