Speaking of State dinners, a friend of mine was seated at Ronald Reagan's table for some function during his administration. Reagan was at the head of the table, and she was at the foot. She was extremely anxious about not doing anything wrong, and pleaded with God to let the service start at the other end of the table so she could observe how to serve herself when the waiters brought the platters around. The Lord heard her prayer, for they started with the President (Nancy was at another table). As he took up the serving utensils he said:
I was hoping they'd start at the other end so I could see what to do.