Author Norman Kolpas remarked, "Food, like a loving touch or a glimpse of divine power, has that ability to comfort."

Our patients, husband and wife, had spent much of their lives in the southern states, living for many years in Arkansas.  Raised down south they grew up on good old down home southern cooking.  Now, years later, they find themselves living in a nursing home and doing without many of the little things that brought them comfort over the years.  Much of the conversations our staff had with the two would come around to talking about food.  (Have you noticed that much of our conversation is focused on food?)  They would lament that the facility food was just not what they were used to, often stating that it wasn’t even worth eating.  Hearing this one of our volunteers begin to take a home cooked meal to them once a week.  You’d have thought they won the lottery!  After one such dinner our spiritual care coordinator visited them the next day and all they wanted to talk about was the black-eyed peas and cornbread they’d had the night before.  The wife stated, “Your volunteer can cook for us anytime!”  On another occasion our patients remarked that they’d sure like a catfish dinner.  The search was on and another volunteer provided them with the best fried catfish one can find in these parts.  Their weekly meals continue to this day and continue to provide the greatest comfort measures possible.

For most of us, food can be a great comfort; we all have our favorite “comfort food”.  Mine happens to be a Reuben sandwich and French fries, when I’m feeling down no food comforts the way they do.  What’s your favorite comfort food?

Shelia Graham said, “Food is the most primitive form of comfort” but I like the following quote even better.

“Never eat more than you can lift.”  ~  Miss Piggy