Day 1090 Food

 

If there were a word for the day, it would have to be Food! I haven’t had much of an appetite since Peps has been gone, but holy cow—did I eat my way through the day and night.

Lunch was at a friend’s house, where she cooked up a feast of Chinese food—one course rolling into another, dish after dish of new and delicious flavors. She’s from Shanghai and loves sharing her foods and traditions with me. I usually don’t eat that much at lunchtime, but I didn’t want to be rude, so I ate everything she placed in front of me. I couldn’t tell you the names of most of the dishes, but it all ended with a beautiful platter of fruit, including longan—a tiny Asian fruit also known as "dragon’s eye." She had to show me how to eat it, and although you can only find them at Asian markets, I really liked them.

After lunch, all I wanted was a nap, but I had an espresso and carried on with my day. Tim and I had long-anticipated plans at our beach club for a lobster bake, and it was every bit as fantastic as I had imagined. We sat at our table in the sand and were served up platters filled with lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, baked potatoes, corn, and sausage, along with a big bowl of melted butter that seemed far too large for the two of us—but we made quick work of it! The food was all cooked in big fire pits right on the beach. It was incredible—everything a lobster bake should be.

I was so glad to have plans. Being home is tough right now. Each time I walk in the door, I still expect to see Peps waiting for me. The house is just too darn quiet. Both Tim and I are slowly coming to grips with the fact that she’s gone, and we may never know what happened to her. It’s not easy.

Still, today was a reminder that sharing food, laughter, and time with people who care can offer little moments of comfort—even on the hardest days. Grief doesn’t vanish, but moments like these help carry us through. And for today, I’m grateful for full plates, warm company, and the small joys that managed to break through the heaviness.

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” – Alan D. Wolfelt