December 31st, 2024
Tonight, I am having the best gravy I’ve ever had in the entire forty-nine years of my life. I pour it over a bowl of steamed rice, made with the last cup of rice I had. There is nothing else in my pantry to eat it with. But the gravy, it is pure bliss from heaven!
Thursday, November 28th, 2024
It is Thanksgiving, and I find myself in the company of fellow residents at my care home for the disabled instead of family or friends.
The turkey they serve us for dinner is dry, but of course, I’m not supposed to complain about anything on this day of gratitude. We must give thanks for everything we have, including the roof over our heads. So I spread cranberry sauce on top of the meat and keep my mouth shut.
Well, maybe not completely shut.
I do find it appropriate and not ungracious to take a photo of the cranberry sauce-strewn turkey slice and post it on Facebook with a caption that says, “Moistened my bird with cranberry sauce.” Nowadays, people put everything on social media.
Besides a few likes, I get a comment that says, “Try gravy.”
It’s from John, an old acquaintance from college who doesn’t interact with me regularly. What a surprise!
“Hi, John! Happy Thanksgiving! How’ve you been?” I write back.
John tells me he has some gourmet gravy he’ll send me. No more dry meat of any kind. Problem solved!
December 31st, 2024
It is New Year’s Eve, too cold and too unsafe to walk to the liquor store across the street to get some snacks to sate the nighttime munchies. I don’t drive, by the way.
The only food I have in my pantry is a little bit of rice, and the gravy John gave me!
I savor every mouthful of my delicious meal. There is warmth and kindness in our world, even during these uncertain times.
INSTANT NOODLES 