What’s your most memorable meal?
This is one of my favorite questions to ask people when we gather around the table. The answers always surprise me. Sometimes it will be a funny story about a mishap in the kitchen or a recipe gone wrong. But most of the time, there’s something else behind the memory. In fact, most of the time it isn’t really about the food at all, it’s about feelings.
I’ve had a lot of memorable meals over the years. Holidays with family. The last Thanksgiving at our house before we downsized and moved to the lake. Graduation parties. Even a backyard wedding.
But if I had to choose one right now, let’s rewind to four years ago. . .
Our two daughters lived out-of-state, one in Boston, one in Orlando, and their babies were due a month apart. Not having MY babies live nearby was already difficult on this mama’s heart. It was hard to say goodbye after a normal visit, but a week in each city to meet the new grandbabies and help out didn’t seem nearly long enough.
The Boston baby came first, in the middle of March. We spent most of the time crowded together in their tiny living room watching Downtown Abby and getting to know our new granddaughter. As planned, we left a week later at four in the morning. The weather was terrible, cold and rainy, and the heavy clouds matched my mood. Our daughter and son-in-law got up and waved goodbye from the window and I think I cried all the way to the Massachusetts’s border.
We drove twelve hours that first day and pulled into a hotel close to suppertime. Both my husband and I were tense from the rain and the traffic and the emotional goodbye.
At that point, all I wanted to do was eat something and go to bed. The hotel had an onsite restaurant, so we dumped our luggage in the room and went to investigate. The hostess greeted us at the door with a smile and informed us that Tuesday was “pizza” night. And it was complimentary. I saw the gleam in my frugal husband’s eyes but we’d skipped breakfast and eaten fast food in the car for lunch. Call me unreasonable, but I didn’t want to stand in the corner surrounded by strangers and eat pizza served on a paper napkin.
We opted for a sit-down meal instead.
After we ordered, the waitress brought us two shallow bowls filled with pasta and Bolognese sauce. Chef’s special, she explained. After that came a loaf of warm bread and olive oil. Then a salad. By the time the actual meal showed up, I was fighting back tears. My body was sore, my heart hurt, but I felt. . .loved.
I think one of the reasons this particular meal is so memorable is because it was unexpected. Like someone showing up at the door with a bouquet of flowers or a text from a friend when I’m feeling down. I thought I would get something to take the hunger pains away but what I received was something that fed my soul. It wasn’t just a meal, it was a gift. One that lifted my spirits and warmed me from the inside out.
It felt like God was saying, “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
He did the same for Elijah. The prophet was running for his life. Exhausted. At the end of his emotional rope. Elijah fell asleep, afraid and alone, but woke up to the aroma of fresh bread and a jar of cool water. The angel of the Lord who’d prepared it told Elijah to “get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”
God always knows when the journey is too much for us. He meets us where we’re at and he meets our needs in practical ways. In my case, on that rainy day in March, it happened to be pasta.
When I go back to that day, I can describe every course in detail. I can tell you the food was delicious. But I can’t talk about that particular meal without explaining how I felt when I got up from the table. More than satisfied. . .I felt nourished.
Ready to continue on with the journey, that night and in all the days ahead, knowing that God was right there with me.
Comments 10
Hi Kathryn,
I am glad you had that experience. We all need times like that. We did not have any memorable meals but we finally got to Appleton to see our only great grandsons, twin boys, who were 13 months old. The pandemic kept us apart but that day was a happy one to see 2 granddaughters, Mike, our oldest son and the twins.
I am happy that your mom is closer to you now.
Keep up the good writing. Could you possibly send me a list of all your books? I think I am missing one or two.
Blessings,
Marsha Patterson
Author
Hello Marsha! I’m so happy you had time with your family. Twin boys…wow! Congratulations! You can find a list of all the books on my website, along with short summaries of each one, so you can get caught up!
Lovely story; one never knows when we need a “picker-upper” and usually comes unexpected.
When I was younger, living in Woodruff on a resort, I worked at a bakery in Minocqua and every Saturday the owner had hot crusty rolls for us workers with lots of butter–what a treat! This I have never forgotten.
Author
Thank you for sharing that memory, Penny! The inspiration for my upcoming book “The Gathering Table” was the way in which the table (or something as simple as rolls and butter!) can bring us together and give us a place to belong:)
Have all your books – well read – multiple times — enjoy both you Irene Hannon and espec disappointed not to have your series to look fwd to!! really enjoyed the smaller ones and most have few tears — as so realistic families – you ‘become ..part of them as enjoy’ — haven’t tried your new bigger books . nor hers .. but that stack of others over yrs // well read!! — Like the Christian thread that goes thru them too .. am sure blessing awaiting you someday in glory for your witness thru them all too!! THANKS & GOD BLESS!!
Author
Thank you for your encouraging words! I am a fan of Irene’s books as well:) And I always love to hear that my books are on someone’s “keeper” shelf!
What a great story, Kathryn. I love how you weave scripture and God into your stories. I can tell that it is part of your life. Your Mom introduced me to your books; I just finished reading one and I wished it didn’t have to end; it was a beautiful story, “Her Christmas Wish”.
I cannot think of one memorable meal, just getting together with my family at any time is memorable because I don’t see them very often. I just enjoy watching my children and grandchildren interact with one another and enjoy each others company, and I give thanks that God has gifted me with good children and grandchildren.
Thank you for your wonderful stories.
Author
So nice to hear from you! I am glad you enjoyed “Her Christmas Wish”! The story was fun to write and I love Christmas books:) I also love those family moments when everyone is laughing and enjoying each other’s company!
I enjoyed reading this a lot! Thank you.
Author
Thank you for taking the time to write! I’m glad you enjoyed the blog:)