For almost 12 years straight, I have nursed baby after baby - sometimes, more than one at a time. I am also in the kitchen, morning-noon-and-night, cooking. Hearty breakfasts, easy lunches, creative dinners, crockpot meals, feast day treats, birthday cakes, special requests - if there's food in the house, it's coming from me. I feed seven people a day, eight if I include myself, ten if my parents are in town. Additionally, my home has an open door policy that is frequently used, so I never really know how many will be at the dinner table! My husband works for the church, and brings home all manner of people who need a meal, need company, need love. He knows he never has to ask, although I do appreciate a quick heads-up text!
I would be lying if I said I always did this work cheerfully, but do it I have. Some meals have been great, some have been busts, many have been done while babywearing or stopping to nurse a tiny one - but I have done it! And I so deeply appreciate you writing about it. It often feels such an unsung duty and that stings my pride. I have much to ponder now, as I go about this daily (hidden) work. Thank you.
This is so beautiful! I needed a fresh perspective to meditate on in the kitchen as I’m often exhausted by the sheer quantity of my day that is spent in this room.
This is a very beautiful piece. It especially touched me since I am an adoptive mother. Also I am the sole cook in our house. Although I do enjoy cooking, and enjoy loving my family that way, I do at times feel resentful at how much work it is every day, several times a day, without any help. Your piece helps me to put this into a lovely perspective.
I LOVED the latest podcast episode! So much good discussion from all of you. I’m reading this essay on hospital bed rest, and am dreaming of getting home soon to enjoy the fruits of your cookbook again soon. Hospital food does not make for much poetic or theological inspiration.
So beautiful and true. Can’t wait to hear more about this project!
I just read a book called Nourished and led a book club here on my Substack around it. It’s all about the fact that we can’t separate food from love/connection. It was amazing and your words here reminded me of it in several ways. (You can check out some of the posts to get a sense of the book of you’d like!)
One hundred percent this made me cry.
For almost 12 years straight, I have nursed baby after baby - sometimes, more than one at a time. I am also in the kitchen, morning-noon-and-night, cooking. Hearty breakfasts, easy lunches, creative dinners, crockpot meals, feast day treats, birthday cakes, special requests - if there's food in the house, it's coming from me. I feed seven people a day, eight if I include myself, ten if my parents are in town. Additionally, my home has an open door policy that is frequently used, so I never really know how many will be at the dinner table! My husband works for the church, and brings home all manner of people who need a meal, need company, need love. He knows he never has to ask, although I do appreciate a quick heads-up text!
I would be lying if I said I always did this work cheerfully, but do it I have. Some meals have been great, some have been busts, many have been done while babywearing or stopping to nurse a tiny one - but I have done it! And I so deeply appreciate you writing about it. It often feels such an unsung duty and that stings my pride. I have much to ponder now, as I go about this daily (hidden) work. Thank you.
“We too are made to be a type of Eucharist.”
YES! I have deeply felt this throughout my 35 years of motherhood. What a grace to be a woman!
This is so beautiful! I needed a fresh perspective to meditate on in the kitchen as I’m often exhausted by the sheer quantity of my day that is spent in this room.
This is a very beautiful piece. It especially touched me since I am an adoptive mother. Also I am the sole cook in our house. Although I do enjoy cooking, and enjoy loving my family that way, I do at times feel resentful at how much work it is every day, several times a day, without any help. Your piece helps me to put this into a lovely perspective.
"My body, given up for you" - In soooo many different and beautiful ways!
I LOVED the latest podcast episode! So much good discussion from all of you. I’m reading this essay on hospital bed rest, and am dreaming of getting home soon to enjoy the fruits of your cookbook again soon. Hospital food does not make for much poetic or theological inspiration.
So beautiful and true. Can’t wait to hear more about this project!
I just read a book called Nourished and led a book club here on my Substack around it. It’s all about the fact that we can’t separate food from love/connection. It was amazing and your words here reminded me of it in several ways. (You can check out some of the posts to get a sense of the book of you’d like!)