In one of my first post-college-real-world jobs, I was one of the directors of a Youth Program for military kids. My co-workers and I planned daily activities and local trips for the youth and teens on base. It was an easy job and relatively fun too. Of course we had the standard committee meetings and bureaucratic politics associated with any (government) job, but as my co-workers and I would joke whenever things got tense, "Really...we make cupcakes."
And make cupcakes we did. One of the best-attended functions on the monthly calendar was the "Birthday Party." Each month, we'd host a party for anyone celebrating their birthday. We'd throw on some music and offer the birthday kids free cupcakes. I never imagined I'd spend so much of my working time as a cupcake baker, but it was a crowd favorite. It was an easy part of the month, and it was fun. We laughed in the kitchens, we let go of any of the stress from our budgeting sessions and staff meetings. We got back to the basics of our mission by making the cupcakes.
This past weekend, a good friend went through a horrific medical scare. She's doing better now, but at the time, it was dreadful. Of course it happened when her husband was away, but thank God her parents were in town visiting and she didn't have to face her troubles alone. They had to leave while she was still recovering, however, and so a couple of us swooped in and spent the rest of the weekend watching over her and her kids.
It is scary to see a young and vibrant friend stuck in her bed for days. She was physically drained and emotionally exhausted. My heart ached for her (still does). I knew that none of us could make her better, take away her stress, but we could get back to basics.
We made cupcakes.
I can't say they healed her or anything, (I'm sure God's grace is helping a lot more with that), but they sure tasted good. Our kids all enjoyed them and for a few minutes things were normal. We were just goofing off with buttery yellow cake and chocolate frosting.
Some people don't understand why women cook for those who are in need or grieving. I'm not sure I know either. All I know is that if you're sick and scared, I'll be there, lasagna in one hand, baked goods in the other.
It's what I do.
3 comments:
she is in my thoughts.....glad you are feeling better......wish I could have helped with the kids and made cupcakes for you and yours :o(
hope your friend is feeling better soon. she was fortunate to have a good friend like you to help out. i guess when things are feeling out of our control, we like to engage in things that are "in" our control, like cooking/baking... and it's such a nice sign of caring.
Thanks both of you for the kind thoughts....Tania, I hadn't really thought about the control part of it, but I bet you are exactly right.
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