The Boy's Day

If you have ever had braces, you know the exited jubilant feeling the day that they come off.  Thee odd way it feels when you run your tongue over bracket-free teeth and the overwhelming desire to eat everything sticky and gooey!

Today is The Boy's day.  After years of torture at the hands of the Orthodontist, not to mention surgery to correct a jaw issue, the hardware comes off today.

Caramel is being purchased so that he can have some upon leaving the office today, and plans are in the works for corn on the cob, whole apples, and perhaps sticky pop corn balls for New Year's eve.

Why does it always come down to food?  In this particular case, it's obvious; but whenever we get together or there is a holiday or some other celebration, food is at the center. 

Food is comfort, and during the cold winter months, we all need as much comfort as we can get.  Steaming bowls of soup, savory soups, and melt in your mouth  desserts tend to fill our thoughts when it is cold and yucky outside.

The question is, how do we change our thinking?  How do we become "un-food focused"?  I'm not sure there is an answer to that question.  Sharing a meal has always been a source of fellowship among people.  Some of the best family memories come from events at the dinner table.  Holiday feasts and sweet treats are paramount on the list for holiday gatherings.

How do you change so much history though?  Even Jesus' ordeal began with a meal.  I'm guessing we can't get away from it.

The best we can do, is change what is laid out on our tables, ensuring that we have healthy, whole foods to offer our guests, families, and friends.  That shows our love and affection for them on a much deeper level than any cake or candy could.

Wow!  Did my thought train get derailed or what?  I started out talking about The Boy's big day!  How exciting that his ordeal (at least orthodontic) is almost over!

If I know his Grandmother, she will have ignored all the stuff about healthy, and show up at the appointment with a big bag of caramels for The Boy.

I guess we can relax our new standards once in awhile!