No one is left out of the left/right game. Right?

Here's the game we played at our volunteer recognition luncheon this year to see who would get the centerpiece at each table. It was modified from another left/right story that I saw somewhere but I have no idea who the original author was.

The idea is that someone from each table is given a small item to hold before you start reading the story. Then, each time you say the word left, the item is passed from the person holding it to the person on his/her left. When you say the word right, the item is passed from the person holding it to the right. Whoever is holding it at the end of the story goes home with the centerpiece. Here's the story:

Oh no, I thought. I looked right at the calendar and realized that there were only a few months left until it would be National Volunteer week, which also meant that the volunteer luncheon was right around the corner. There were so many things to do! And since I like everything to be done just right, I was left with no choice but to get cracking. I knew I could not delay. I had to get right to it!

I had to come up with a theme so, right away I grabbed some of my party planning magazines and starting searching. What theme was left after so many years? I needed the right inspiration and I needed it fast. And then, it came to me, it was like it struck me right between the eyes. I called a good friend, Nancy Leftwich, and ran my idea past her. She said: You're right on the money. You've chosen a great theme! So, once I had the theme, I started to write a list of everything else that needed to be done. Decorations, program, entertainment, gifts, and speech, to name but a few. Even this left/right game. Lots to do, right? I mean, I didn't want to be a nervous wreck for the next couple of months worrying that something important would be left out or left to chance.

Right off I went to my file cabinet to check to see if there was anything left from last year that could be used. And right away I realized there was not much left. It was time to search for the right items to make this luncheon just perfect. No stone would be left unturned in my quest to make it perfect for my special volunteers.

When it was time to select the right invitations and make sure that the rightpeople, that is the right volunteers and the right paid staff members were invited and that no one was left out, I went right to the computer and ran a list. When I was almost finished addressing the invitations, I realized that I had left June Cartwright off the list. How could I have forgotten her? I rightfully addressed her envelope right that minute.

A month or so later, I finally finished with all the planning and was left with a feeling of great accomplishment and pleasure. Nancy Leftwich called the night rightbefore the luncheon wanting to know if I was ready. I told her there was nothing leftto do. Everything got done right on time! And, I told her, if I'm really as good at planning as I think I am, there will be nothing left over at the end of the luncheon. (although I'm hoping there's some lunch leftovers so I can take my lunch home for dinner). So now I'm left with nothing to do but get your feedback. It was a great luncheon that has left a lasting impression on you and there was nothing missing orleft out. Right?

Susan Smith