Appreciation with a Loaf of Bread Project
Sarah, Jason, and Penny
Photo#1
A brown paper bag package arrives at front door with a handwritten note on the front. The goldenrod tassel adorning the top reminds me of the warm spirit of the friend who has delivered this gift.Though I know what's inside, I carry the bag with anticipation up the stairs to my kitchen.
Photo #2
I open the bag, peering inside to discover this perfect loaf of sourdough bread. I know making a bread like this is a laborious process, so it's special. I pick up the entire loaf and feel it's heartiness in my hands. I almost don't want to cut in, afraid to disrupt it's perfection, could I just hang the loaf on my wall?
Photo #3
I know this bread is meant to be enjoyed not just outside, but inside as well so I push through my trepidation and using my bread knife, the one with those wicked teeth, slice into the bread. The crusty outer layer gives my knife and hand a workout. Once I've pieced this outer layer I begin to create a piece. I see the bubbles and spaces. I press my finger into the center of the 1st slice and take a little bread from the middle and place it into my mouth. Suddenly I'm transported to the kitchens of those that love me best.
I'm warm. I'm happy. I'm home.
I make a little pool of olive oil and balsamic vinegar to increase this overall feel good vibe.
Photo# 4
I share the bread with the little family I have created. We delight and say over and over, this is just so good. This time is so good, I've been trying to remember that lately that we can find something good in these little bits of time.
Photo #5
She says this is pretty good, I should probably go give some to dad. She finds her dad and gives him a slice of the bread. He says, I think this would be great dunked in oil and vinegar and is delighted to find the loaf on the cutting board with a little plate of what he had wished for just moments earlier.
Photo #6
We all talk about what we are grateful for, but we become a little sad because while we have more than we need we just miss everyone we are grateful for. We try to write, we try to call, we try to video chat. One day we wrote sidewalk chalk messages to the other kids in the neighborhood to let them know we were here and thinking about them. The bread helps us remember. Remember family. Remember community. Remember the time before and look forward to the time after.
Photo #7
Today she feeds me. Sometimes it's not always small, managble bites! Either way it's tasty. When she was small, she relied on me, my body for sustinance, but now especially during this slow time, away time, distance time, she feeds me.