Day 15 -- Food is Love

Got an e-mail from the neighbor who knows everyone and everything that's going on on our street. (No, she's not a busy-body, she's just a nice, friendly, giving person who is the go-to gal for info.) She organizes the Neighborhood Watch and the Annual Block Party and generally "keeps an eye on things" which we all appreciate. She sent out an e-mail that one of our older neighbors passed away. (He was in his 80s) and asked if people would bring food to his widow during the next few weeks.

I didn't really know them well, just enough to wave hello when I passed. We talked at the Annual Block Party and once, while walking my dogs, I stopped to admire their huge magnolia tree that was in full and fragrant bloom. They were getting out of their car and we had a nice conversation about the tree and how long they had lived there on the street.

I volunteered to make dinner that night.

I wondered what to make and decided that I could not go wrong with a "comfort food" so I made a big pot of pasta with a yummy sauce that included sun-dried tomatoes and romano cheese and brought it right over. I didn't call--the car was in the driveway--I know I should have, but sometimes it's easier for me to do a NICE thing if I don't think too much about it. If I don't stress over the details. If I just do it.

The widow opened the door and her face just lit up when I explained my mission. She was so thrilled and touched by this humble dinner I prepared and invited me in for a glass of iced-tea. Her daughter and grand-daughter were coming over and they would surely enjoy my pasta for dinner. I stayed for 30 minutes as she showed me their home and shared photographs and stories of her husband with me.

I volunteered for another night. I'm making my vegetable soup. I think that would be NICE.