Food is love, love is food.
-Héctor Elizondo
I had no idea my mom, Sue, often quoted the charming actor, Héctor Elizondo, but she did. Without attribution. His simple proclamation, “Food is love, love is food” was a persistent mantra in my mama’s life. A sentiment she offered on the regular — used to justify spontaneous celebrations and voracious imbibing of adult beverages and delectable nibbles.
Growing up, visitors’ feet scarcely skimmed the threshold of our home before Sue rattled off a menu suitable for all taste buds. Always at the ready.
Looking back, I see the sincerity in her hospitality, but I also understand its complicated origins; how Sue’s childhood poverty and hunger equated safety and love…with food.
For all of her faults and failings, Sue was a caretaker. One who lost her way in the madness of mental health, addiction and Alzheimer’s, but deep within, her aim was resolute:
Come close, be part of the family…break bread.
I’ve written about my mom – the party girl. Celebrations were her specialty and I have no doubt Sue would be entirely entranced by Dr. Yvette Prior’s latest anthology, “This is How We Eat“. It’s full of heartfelt stories about the resonance of food in our lives.
Although readers will find a handful of recipes and mouthwatering food descriptions, this is not a cookbook. While the topic of food trickles through its pages, this anthology offers stories about episodic memories, culture, and connections away from and around the table.
-Yvette Prior, PhD
Each author offers a glimpse of the power of food and culture from their unique perspective. What a beautiful volume to add to every family’s library of books – to read and enjoy together, sample recipes and spur conversations about traditions worth protecting and preserving. For writers, “This is How We Eat” will summon inspirational storytelling.
Thanks to Yvette and her contributors, my mind is a whirr of images – sights, sounds, tastes and smells – punctuated by raucous laughter heard around overstuffed tables, packed with people and food. The sunniest moments from my childhood.
One of my favorite stories in “This is How We Eat” comes from author and friend, Pete Springer. In Chapter 10, “Food: The Great Unifier” Pete tells the story a snickerdoodle math lesson in his third-grade classroom, the students learning about the power of cookies to bring people together. Pete’s storytelling comes full circle here: “Food tastes better when it’s shared with others.”
As one of my favorite reflective writers, Pete crawled into my heart, concluding his chapter with these words:
“Using food as a vehicle to build acceptance and bring people together is a no-brainer. One way we can chip away at racism, discrimination, division and hate is to break bread with our neighbors…”
Many thanks to Pete and Yvette…and all of the authors contributing to the beautiful “This is How We Eat”.
Vicki 💝
priorhouse blog – Photos, art, and a little bit of LIT.
Pete Springer – Passionate Teacher and Future Children’s Author
There’s a Place at the Table: This Is How We Eat – priorhouse blog
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.
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Victoria Ponders 
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