Making others feel welcome!

Have you ever went to an event and felt so left out and uncomfortable that you just wanted to cry?
This has happened to me and the kids a few times. Unfortunately, it is usually the adults that end up being the offenders.
I know it is easy to get wrapped up in your group of friends, and not notice a new person, but it is so devastating to be that new person that no one is talking to.
I have been to several things in the past that has made me feel that way, and it gives an impression of the whole group, even though I am sure that not everyone there is as unfriendly as it  may seem.
One good thing that has come from my experiences is that I started my own homeschool group, and it has been great.
I think we need to try to go out of our way to make others feel welcome.
When we see a new person at a function, let's go up to them and introduce ourselves and make them feel welcome. It is such a testimony to the love of Christ, and even as a homeschooler.
People tend to make generalizations, whether fair or not.
If a new homeschooling mother goes to an event, hoping to meet other homeschoolers, and get some good advice on this whole homeschooling thing, and no one speaks to her, how does that look?
She is not going to want to go back to that group, and she may not want to try a different one either.
I know this is how I have felt before.
Now, it has been a while since I have felt this way because I have decided to be more outgoing myself.
Not only to introducing myself to other new mothers, but also to go introduce myself if I am in a situation where I am feeling that way.
Most people don't even know they are doing this, and would never do this intentionally, but it does hurt others none the less.
What brings this up?
Well, today, the kids and I went to a birthday party, and I saw this one lady who I didn't know, and I knew wasn't a family member. She kind of kept to the side, and for a while I didn't even really pay any attention, because I was caught up in talking to my friends.
I was sitting on the couch, when I heard this voice to go and introduce myself to this lady. I felt bad that I didn't even think of it before then.
I went over to talk to her, and she was so glad, because she said she didn't know anyone there, except the mom, and of course she was busy with the party.  I was so glad that I was nudged to go over there, because otherwise she would have felt out of place and left out, the entire time.
Anyways, I was thinking about this tonight after we got home, and I remembered how I have felt in the past, and I thought I would approach the subject, so that we can all do our part to keep others from feeling this way.
Just one person, making one simple gesture, can make all the difference in the world.