sourceMy mother is convinced that a good meal can work miracles. "Sharing at the table helps to understand and tolerance", she says. She may be right.
I like to analyze things from a scientific point of view, and I know that the pleasure of eating produces a sense of well-being that helps people relax and their levels of aggression decrease.
I come from a large family, I am the last of 4 siblings and I still live with my parents and grandparents, because I am studying. My other siblings are married and live with their wives and children. Two of them don't talk to each other, and the other one argued with my dad because of differences when they worked together in my father's workshop.
My mother of course suffers from this and has planned a family dinner where we are all together again, and I am helping her.
The dinner menu is ready.
My mother is making a finger lickin', good stuffed chicken, she's going to serve it with sautéed potatoes, green salad and for dessert a pumpkin pie which is her specialty.
My dad will be in charge of the drinks, and I was left with the difficult task of inviting my siblings. But I have satisfactorily fulfilled the task entrusted to me and my siblings Pedro, Miguel and Mariaelena accepted, well I had to lie a little bit and told them that I was planning to study abroad, and I wanted to see them together... I think it was worth it.
The long awaited day arrived. The table is so beautiful, with its white tablecloth and the best glassware that belonged to my grandparents. Cutlery and plates for each guest and in the center a bouquet of daisies from my mother's garden.
All the guests have arrived, and we are seated at the table waiting for the meal. There is an uncomfortable silence, and I am a little nervous. My brother Miguel breaks it when he turns to look at me and asks me.
"And then Clara, what are you going to study, and why do you want to leave the country?
My father and my mother look at me with astonishment, and I wink at them.
"I would like to study Archeology and here in the country there is no such specialty. I would love to do excavations and discover the remains of ancient civilizations.I have been researching in which countries I could study and I think Spain is a good option.
"But what a strange career you chose!, sis," comments Mariaelena. "It must be difficult to get a job. I recommend you look at other options".
"She will study what she likes, you didn't ask anyone's opinion when you went to live alone in another city", was Pedro's unkind comment.
"And neither did you when you decided to leave my father alone with the workshop, knowing that he needed you".
My father had to intervene and asked them not to fight.
"That discussion was not going well", I thought. I looked at my mother and saw her get up and walk to the kitchen. Within minutes, she returned to the table with a large tray.
That brought back fond memories, I was a little girl, and they were celebrating my birthday. All my siblings were laughing and praising mom's stuffed chicken and the huge cake with my five little candles that she had made for me. That was a happy day.
I came back from my memory to see my mother who approached with a smile and put the tray on the table, as if she were a sorceress. he removed the aluminum foil that covered it and an exquisite smell began to come out of the food, the mixture of all the ingredients she had used in its preparation, it spread in the atmosphere.
His magic made that all eyes were on that food made with love and with all the intention of attracting the attention of the family. We all ate in harmony.
My grandparents were happy, and my parents were satisfied to see the family reunited. I was so happy to see my family back together that my smile didn't leave my face all night and when I went to sleep I dreamed of that moment of joy.
And I must tell you that after this dinner we were closer than ever, I think my mother was finally right. The love expressed through food had the desired effect.
