My dear friend,
How are you today? I hope this letter finds you well. Me? I woke up this morning with the desire to make a big pot of soup. I didn’t have a recipe and even if I did I don’t think I ever make the same soup twice even if I were to try. For me it all depends on what is in the cupboard and fridge. And, to top it off, the spices and seasoning that I add is never measured.
But the making of the soup is really only half of the event. The real fun is in the soup distribution! I love to share my soup. I want others to partake in its warmth and (unrepeatable) flavor. I want to have others enjoy the outcome of my chopping, stirring, tasting and adjusting.
I come to this impulse to share soup honestly. My mother was a teacher and she was forever bringing a crock pot of soup to the teacher’s lounge to share her culinary creation with her friends.
I also realize one more thing about myself. When I make something by hand, I am really making it from my heart…soup…knitting…a hand-written letter… all from my hand…all from my heart.
This makes me pause and refelct on what “handmade” really means to me. That to make something by hand is really an act of creating something with love. Creation.
Creation. That is a powerful word. A powerful concept. And it makes me smile to think that I’m the result of Creation. I wonder if each person is like a unique pot of soup-all made from the same basic ingredients but never made the same way twice!
…and then…the Creation is lovingly shared with others to warm and nourish! Can you hear it? “Look what I made! Please enjoy!” And I wonder, as I delight in hearing what people have to say about what I make, how what we say about each other is heard and received? “Oh this is wonderful!”…”A bit spicy for me…” Ha! this thought makes me laugh…
Okay, I’m off to the kitchen… What are you cooking today?
Until we meet again, please take good care of yourself.
Joyfully,
Tivesse
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