Showing the Love

There’s something that always makes my heart beat a little quicker, my mind feel a bit more focused, my world seem brighter and more exciting. It’s conversations that go something like this -

Becci: “My husband and I are going out tonight.”

Me: “Is he taking you out to dinner? Where? What are you going to eat?”

Or

Joy: “My kids are coming home tonight.”
Me: “Are you cooking? What did you decide to make for dinner?”

Or

Hubbie: “Kris is getting married. We need to make plans for a trip to OK in the fall. Let’s look at the budg… Hey! Where are you going?”

Me: “I’m going online to check out the Diners, Drive-ins & Dives website. I’ll map out all the good restaurants between Milwaukee and Oklahoma City.”

Of course, it’s not all talk. My husband knows if he’s in trouble he simply has to take me to Barnes & Noble to pick out a new cookbook, or mention reservations at the new bistro that opened up in town, or bring home a bag of tomatoes. All will be right in his world again.

Because in my world, food = love.

I remember the day my love language was clearly defined for me. I was eight years old, and I was standing by the stove watching my mom burn pork chops. As she was flipping them and scowling into the skillet, I started asking her questions, “How do you know when to turn them over? How do you know when they’re done? Is it when they’re black? Why do you salt them? Why do you put pepper on them? Why do you put soy sauce on them? Won’t that taste weird?”  My mom bent her head back and yelled at the ceiling, “I HATE cooking!!!”

I remember feeling like all the breath had been knocked out of my body. I was shocked, indignant and strangely hurt, like she had just told me, “Susan, I just realized that you’re my least favorite child. I don’t want to take care of you anymore. Go live at the neighbors.”

I do know that’s not what she was really saying, but that was the day I realized how important food is and how it clearly symbolized so much more than just fuel for my body. An invitation to dinner says, “I like you and I want to spend time getting to know you.” Making a good meal for my family says, “I care about you and I’m taking the time to show it.” Getting a box of chocolates says, “I’ll love you even when you gain 20 pounds finishing off these hand-dipped raspberry crèmes.” Providing a meal for a shut-in says, “Don’t worry about anything. You will be cared for.”

I told you all this so you understand the significance of my next statement -

The Residential Life staff went grocery shopping  for the students!!!

Yesterday, with joy and excitement, they went on a big shopping trip to Woodman’s in Kenosha (where the students will all be shopping during the school year) and loaded up carts and cars and cabinets with FOOD!!

Students, you’ll be making a meal out of this food and learning new skills together.

You’ll be eating dinner and laughing as you get to know each other.

You’ll be popping popcorn to watch a movie with a new friend.

You’ll be making Jell-O and sharing special memories of all the fun ways your mom made it for you at home.

You will be chopping some of it, cooking some of it, spilling some of it, and sharing all of it. As you deal with this food every day you will learn to work together, to care for each other, and how to care for your bodies. You will learn that sharing builds trust and friendships, that knowing how to work with food can lead to Appropriate Independence, that food makes people feel welcome around you, and that God always provides for His children.

So students, know that when the staff was shopping for all the food you see above, they were thinking of so much more than just filling your stomachs.

They were saying, "You will be well cared for at Shepherds College."

Students having dinner with Mrs. Leith

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.