Meatballs

Yep, that's the answer to the question that I have answered every day for nearly twenty years. Tonight it's meatballs. I never knew how a simple question could have such huge implications. I never knew how much responsibility comes from having to answer that question every day.
And yet, what an opportunity to provide joy. Food is sure a joy bringer. To kids. To husbands. To people with new babies who get meals delivered. Food is much more than just sustenance. It is time to slow down. Enjoy. Regroup. It can bring comfort.
You got it, I'm a foodie. I enjoy food. Lots of kinds of foods. I like to cook too. Good thing, because my family likes to eat. It's a little stressful because sometimes the answer to the daily question brings looks of dismay. Other times, joyous whooping. Crepes are a huge hit. Chicken soup, less so.
It's fun to see my kids enjoy food as well. Cooking. Eating. Planning what would be good together. It's just a shame that not many of us really want to clean up the kitchen. It gets done, but nobody loves it like they love the cooking.
Cooking brings joy before you ever even eat. Before you ever even enter the front door. The aroma of dinner is enticing. It draws people in. I have dinner cooking most days before I go to pick up my kids. We eat early. John gets home late anyway, so it doesn't really matter. But, I like them to eat real food instead of starting on the snacks, sandwiches, fruit. But, some days, they can barely wait. As soon as they smell the food when we are walking in, the question becomes, "how long?"
Maybe we should live our lives like we are good food. Something that draws other people in. That they can hardly wait. That they feel comforted. That we start a hunger in them. And can fill it.
Filling the need. There's the thing. Nothing worse than smelling the food, seeing the food, having our appetite going full blast and then not getting any food. Ever been near a good restaurant at around dinner time? The smells get your tummy rumbly. Your mind starts going. You want food. You want THAT food. But, you have things to do. Places to go.
Much the same with emotional and spiritual needs. People get their appetites whetted, but sometimes just keep going. They ignore the hunger. They don't get filled.
Be a person who knows how to answer the question. The important question. "What do you have to fill me up?"
blessings,
rhonda