Thursday Is Breakfast

It's March 3rd, third day of SOLSC!

In this 21st century, we connect with others across cultures & countries via the internet, forming interesting & valuable relationships without hearing the human voice, seeing the facial expressions. This is indeed a relationship of words. Even in my school, we are increasingly communicating (at least when the need is brief) by e-mail instead of walking down the hall to say "hello, let’s chat". So-in my school we have a tradition that we take turns feeding each other breakfast on Thursday mornings. It is a feeling of gratification to plan food for one’s colleagues. As we move through the year, food personalities emerge. One person takes time to prepare bowls of pancake batter & personally stands for an hour, serving hot cakes to us, adding blueberries or strawberries, whipped cream, butter & maple syrup. Another says she’s switched her plan because on a cold winter’s day, she instead prepares an enormous pot of oatmeal with brown sugar, served with mugs of cocoa. The talk is congenial, not necessarily about teaching, but about each other. “How is your son”, one staff member is asked about a son who is a new freshman in college. The question also means “How are you doing?” Queries showing interest abound, filling the room with collegial conversations between those who know each other-families, children, parents, pets, cars, trips, in-laws-topics of our lives. We all want to show we care. Warm food says that, but more lasting--warm conversation.