Day 21

Traditions and Food


I love this picture. Even though I can't read Farsi (or whatever language this is..) I still know exactly what it is and I am comforted by such a familiar, inviting sight. This is somewhat of a tradition for me - McDonalds was part of my childhood, I have wonderful memories of years and years and YEARS of eating at McDonalds. I'm sure that other people feel the same way whenever they see the golden arches too. 

 Today at Sunday School we celebrated a different kind of tradition. We let the children experience a Seder meal, a Passover Feast and explained the reasons for each of the elements of the meal. Salt water to represent the tears of 400 years the Hebrews were in enslavement to the Egyptians, 10 dots of grape juice on each plate to represent the 10 plagues God inflicted on the Egyptians,  bitter herbs such as horseradish to symbolize the bitterness of life in Egypt, parsley to represent the hyssop branch used to apply the lamb's blood to the doorposts of the Hebrews to allow the Angel of Death to passover their households and strike down the firstborn of the Egyptians, roasted lamb meat from that unblemished sacrificial lamb, matzo bread/unleavened bread because the Hebrews could not afford to wait for the bread to rise (they needed to be ready to leave in a moment's notice), applesauce to represent the sweetness of God, a hard boiled egg which was a symbol of mourning. What a wonderful experience for all these children. For the past three weeks we have been studying that first Passover meal and how for over 2000 years, the Hebrews and others have continued that tradition which gives them great comfort, peace, and joy. I am sure these participants today will remember this experience far more than just hearing a story being told or reading it themselves from the Bible. 

Sunday meals for me are also a great tradition and source of comfort. My mother always had great Sunday meals and I looked forward to them pretty much each week. She made a big pot roast or meatloaf or ham,  mashed potatoes with gravy, or macaroni and cheese, at least two vegetables, bread, desserts, no matter what she served though, there was always way too much food. I loved when we had company on Sunday nights and Wade was a frequent guest at the Sunday night dinner table. I aspire to have dinners like the ones that I remember. And I also hope that someday my children and grandchildren will remember dinners at our table. Today's meal was chicken cordon blue, broccoli stuffed chicken, macaroni and cheese (my mother's same recipe), corn, peas, french bread, and then we had Reese's peanut butter cup cupcakes. We missed having Wade there with us and I look forward to the time when we share meals again. 
The t-shirt of the day is Wade is still in temporary housing - awaiting transportation to his final destination. He is trying very hard to get settled and feel comfortable in his surroundings. Hopefully by the end of this week he will have gotten where he needs to be and can start "nesting" and creating his year-long living arrangements. I heard our Adult Sunday School teachers read a note from Wade to the class and showed some of Wade's pictures to everyone there. I get lots of hugs and pats and reassurances from people at church that they are praying for Wade daily. 
I am happy to report that Sheba has had two very good days and has been getting around pretty well. I took all the dogs for a walk today. I have to do it in three separate walks: first, Kelly goes with me for about 50 minutes, then Angel will walk for about 20 minutes, and finally, I take Sheba out front and let her wander around the yard and smell things. We don't walk much at all, but at least she feels as if she actually went somewhere with her mama. 
I'm posting a little early tonight, but I've had my final meal and I'm just relaxing in the living room watching a movie. I don't anticipate any earth-shattering news to happen tonight that would change what I've posted.  :o)