Debunking the Food Myths - Part 3

Myth #3 - Food is the Glue that Connects Me to the People Around Me

There is an old Italian Proverb: "Chi mangia sulo s'affoga." Literally, "He who eats alone suffocates." In our society, food is quite literally tied to every celebration, every life event, and very nearly every thing we do. Deciding what to eat, where to eat, and with whom we will eat can take up an enormous amount of time. Before my surgery, I was really afraid that taking that aspect out of my life would affect my relationships.

In all fairness, I have never thought that food was the ONLY thing tying me to my friends and family. But in many instances, it seemed like a MAJOR thing that connected us. There have been days, admittedly not many, but still some days where it seemed the only conversation my husband and I had was about where or what we would eat. And there are still some days where that is the first converation we have.

Sharing with friends or family over a meal is natural for us. Many of the stories about Jesus involve Him eating a meal - and using it as a time to teach - about tolerance or about His mission. He ate with "sinners" - much to the dismay of the religious leaders of the time. He fixed breakfast for the disciples after His resurrection. He turned water into wine at a wedding feast. Many of His parables talk about a feast. People can be their most relaxed around the dinner table, and because food is a basic necessity - we all understand this significance.

But sharing over a meal is not at all the same thing as sharing BECAUSE of the meal. The SHARING is the important aspect - not the meal itself. And the most wonderful thing has happened to me in the 30 weeks since surgery...I share more while I am eating less. My small portions do not take much time to consume, so I really have time to share with the person(s) at the table.