A number of years ago I heard about a group of creative ladies. They were all single or widowed, and they did not like cooking for one. They came up with a very simple solution. They set up a schedule, and each night one of the ladies would host the others at her residence for a lovely home cooked meal. Since they were used to cooking for their families and found cooking for a small group easier than cooking for one, they were able to make the best use of their culinary skills. They also found it was more economical to cook every few days for several than to cook every day for one. However, the benefits of having a meal in a small group rather than alone went beyond mere convenience and economics. Mealtimes are not only a time of feeding the body, but in a family setting, it is a time of social interaction and sharing—feeding the spirit. Although they were not a family in a biological sense, the emotional benefit of having a daily meal together was the same as if they had been actual family members. There is an old adage that says, “Necessity is the Mother of Invention.” These ladies certainly invented a way to meet their needs at several levels. If you have come up with creative ways to meet other needs, please share them with us. We can blog about your ideas, and you can help others facing similar difficulties.
Bon appetite!
John Reese
Elder Care Coordinator