Holland: Food makes family celebrations special - Greenfield Daily Reporter

Teresa Holland

“Tell me a story” was one of the favorite sayings of my favorite author, Pat Conroy. He shared in a cookbook he authored that many of those stories not only involved good food, but also the people and places he experienced by sharing meals.

Our own gatherings may look a little different than they have in the past. Our groups may be smaller for varied reasons. However, whenever we can come together around the table, it adds to our memories of good times we have spent with those special to us. Regardless, if the celebration is at home, meeting friends at a restaurant, or another special gathering; it just feels good to return to the freedom of a more normal way of life. There is no substitute for seeing someone in person, sharing laughter and spending time together. It is especially sweet if you have not been able to see someone for a while, due to travel or other reasons. The chatter and excitement from the children and adults alike add to the festivities.

Sports fans were some of the earliest to start celebrating again with tail-gate parties, wings and other favorite foods while cheering on their favorite teams. It is made even better if the favorite team wins!

A gathering can be kept simple and does not have to be exhausting, especially if you are feeling out of practice since the extended lockdowns. One of the simplest is the charcuterie board. It is just one tray with a combination of usually meat, cheeses, and fruit loaded onto a wooden tray. I just use what platter I already have – just not the old one that is fake silver plastic with crinkly edges. It is so easy to put together, and there is usually something for everyone, including your pickiest eater. You might even be able to talk the kids into making it with some of their own special selections added.

Celebrating life with food is one of the key experiences of connecting with others, showing love and hospitality. It has been probably one of the most missed activities throughout the pandemic, making it hard on families and friends. But as people resolve to push forward and live life as safely as possible, more of us are getting together again to celebrate birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and all those occasions that make up the fabric of our lives. Many of us no longer take for granted getting together. Being able to come together is a cause for celebration in itself.

Maybe you will try a new recipe or use the opportunity to pass down favorite family recipes. Not everything has to be perfect. In fact, an occasional mishap can actually enliven the gathering.

One of my favorite cooking stories involved my mother-in-law, who I considered to be one of the best cooks that I had ever known. But through no fault of hers, I was greatly intimidated by my lack of skills in the kitchen, especially as a young mother. However, at one of the annual family big birthday dinners to celebrate for about half of the family, she inadvertently set a baking dish of enchiladas on the electric burner of the stove. The dish exploded to which she was mortified. Luckily, no little ones were underfoot as we cleaned up the bits of cheesy, gooey, glass from that side of the kitchen. Even though I felt bad for her, I just could not stop laughing. Finally catching my breath, I told her that it had done my heart good to know that even the very best cooks mess up too. She started laughing as well. It helped that we were also good friends. In the end, a fun time was had by all.

It is just being together that matters. A time for all ages to gather and share what is going on in each other’s lives – a time to mark milestones of living big and small.

So, whether you line up a whole row of crockpots, have a pitch-in, order pizza, or fix a full-blown multi-course meal with all the trimmings, it is always a special time no matter the excuse… I mean occasion.

As for me, anytime is pretty much a good time for my “special secret family lasagna recipe” (that I pick up at a favorite wholesale big box store). It makes life more special when you can once more enjoy celebrating life with others. Bon Appetit.

Teresa Holland is a writer, photographer, quilter, and advanced-practice registered nurse.

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