A Reminder of Why...

I copied this post from my daily blog - diaryofcashstarvedfoodie.blogspot.com because I thought it was a story worth sharing twice.

Today was angst and stress filled. And then once again...magic happened. I received an unexpected voice mail message from Nancy, a woman I have never met, but certainly hope to one day. Her message explained she was the wife of NC State coach Dana Bible who HAD leukemia. She stressed the word HAD. He is currently in remission.

Let me explain the magic behind the call. Last month while visiting my son Ryan, an intern at NC State, I was lucky enough to attend a Spring football practice. I knew about the health challenges Coach Bible was enduring and made eye contact with him as he walked by at the end of practice. This was his first time back on the field in months. I asked a simple question as he walked by - "How are you feeling?" I got back a genuine response filled with the joy of being back doing what he loved and the pain of all the chemo treatments. We talked for several minutes. He didn't have to talk to me. I was a perfect stranger. But, he did and I made a connection, however brief.

I wanted him to know that people he didn't even know were thinking of him and sending good thoughts his way. He talked some more and shared several stories of the people that had reached out to him during his time of crisis. I asked if the chemo affected his taste buds. Could he eat cookies if I made him some? His face lit up and he said he would be all over homemade cookies. I told him I was a baker and I would bake some for my son to drop off the following week. He said he looked forward to them, gave me a fist bump and went on his way.

As promised over the weekend I baked a couple of batches of cookies...not my best work and assembled a basket for Ryan to drop off at the office. Coach Bible was not in, but his assistant said she would save them for him. I didn't hear anything else about the gift, but was very glad I fulfilled my promise.

I didn't hear anything else about those less than perfect cookies, until today. Today I received a huge reminder of why I bake for others. I received an awesome, perfectly timed message from Nancy Bible, the wife of Dana Bible, the NC State coach that HAD leukemia. She gushed over those silly cookies. Telling me they were the best cookies she had ever had. She shared the good news that Dana was in remission and thanked me for my thoughtfulness. Evidently Nancy LOVES cookies and is keeping my card for future visits to my website. She took the time to reach out to this perfect stranger and I am very glad she did. I sent hugs to her family and they sent the hugs back tenfold.

I have never met Nancy Bible, but I hope to one day real soon!

This is why I stay up until 1:00 a.m. night after night, spend money I don't have on ingredients and search for cookie perfection. I wouldn't change a thing!

Many hugs,

Kathy

A Life Well Lived - Day 246

This morning was a celebration of the life of Lula Frances Jones...a life well lived. Lula (Frances) was a woman I never met. Yet somehow as I watched the people that filled the church for her service, I felt like I had known her all my life. She was a woman who took care of those around her. A woman who loved her children with all her heart. A woman who loved to cook good Southern food...and share it with anyone that happened to stop by. She was a woman who loved to eat. A woman after my own heart. My eyes teared up as I watched my friend Dennis mourn her loss. The loss of his mother. I was sad I never met this woman who was so important to so many. Once again I was moved by just how many people are touched by the well lived life of just one.

Tonight after wolfing down a Salmon Cobb Salad assembled from Easter leftovers, I began to make Sugar Cookie dough for a First Communion Cookie Basket for my friend Rose. She is leaving for North Carolina to attend the First Communion service for her granddaughter and asked me to make something special for her to take. As I cut the dough with the cross cookie cutters, I thought this was a perfect way to end this special day.

Many hugs,

Kathy