Chocolate chips melt into miniature puddles, the dough has little brown tinges, and the oven timer goes off. I pull the cookies from the oven and inhale the sensuous scent of sugar and sin. Baking is my Zen activity, and I hum happily.
But more and more of late, people tell me not to bring my brownies, cookies, and cakes. They say, “I’m on a diet,†or, “I’m cutting back on carbs this month. Please don’t tempt me.†Don’t they know I’m bringing love, not calories or carbs?
This week is my father’s 85th birthday. He chastised me for not bringing a cheesecake to our Christmas gathering–which surprised me. He’s always loved sweets, but this was the first I’d heard my cheesecake was a favorite. I intend to bake one for his birthday cake and deliver it with a huge smile. Having a reason to bake some love? It will be the best part of my day!
How sad that ANYONE would say that to you. How can they not taste the love, the nurturing, the care in every bite? I don’t get it! I’m NOT a fan of sugar, but your food is NOT sugar. It is love. I have never gained weight from your food and that’s not the important part. When I struggled to eat anything while in the throes of chemotherapy, your food fed me, told me there was goodness in the world, and gave me hope. I will never forget that. I remember it every time I taste what you make with such love and such magic and I feel the hug.
Ah, Claudia. You are salve to my soul. Always.
🙂 Gail