04.10.08
The Bread You Break.
“There’s something special about food,” Lia said, throwing some peas in the pot.
“There is?” Teleika asked. She leaned across the counter, trying to read the cookbook upside-down.
“Yes,” Lia said, gently nudging her daughter out of the way. She checked the stove, then turned back to Teleika. “All food is sacred.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. It’s sacred just by being food, and eating food, any food, just by yourself is inherently a sacred act.”
“Whether you know it or no.” Teleika fidgeted with a loose bread recipe.
“Just so.” The pot bubbled, and Lia moved to stir it.
“And if you eat it with someone else, is it more sacred?” Teleika asked.
“Sort of. It’s more like it’s sacred for two reasons.” Lia looked at her daughter expectantly.
“Well, because food and eating are sacred. But what’s the other reason?”
Lia grinned. “Because community is also inherently sacred. Come on, soup’s ready.”
Teleika sat for a moment, watching her mother take the soup out to the others, then carefully slid the loose recipe in her pocket before jumping off the stool and joining her family.
