Loafers
Not too long ago, an idea was circulating called “The No-Carb Diet”. When the negative adjective is stuck in front of something that encapsulates the idea of bread, the ultimate carb…I would have no part of it. Not that a diet has ever been something I understand. As soon as I am not supposed to have something, it is all that occupies my mind. And since I am picky enough as it is, I could never deny myself the sheer joy of bread. So, even though people’s belt holes were slimming, a no-carb diet would never be in my future.
So imagine the joy when I was given not one but two loaves of homemade, cooked with love bread? Does a day start of any brighter? There they were, wrapped in foil to secure maximum shelf life, small tokens of care and kindness, and a gift that speaks right to my soul. Could I be so simple as to be moved by yeast? One from my mom, a Danish loaf of rugbrod (not misspelled just spelled in Danish) and the other from a dear friend who fancies himself quite the baker these days. He even peruses the King Arthur Flour catalog!
On the same day, a warm, gentle, knowing, and beautiful friend presented me with a pair of socks. And get this, they are cashmere. I have never owned anything cashmere…even though I do have two pet bunnies. But I guess you can’t count shedding fur on your sweater, can you? She held them out in her comforting hand, explaining how they were blended with patience and healing and that wearing them would tether me like running did. They are the perfect color…a rich orange…exactly what keeps toes happy. And I swear, they put a spring in my step. Another token that touched the soul.
I am lucky to be surrounded by this, friends and loved ones who understand. I have a friend who will make me smile when I want to cry. She will find humor in whatever situation and keeps laughing until I join. I have a friend who seems to hear my words when I can’t speak them. Who explains where I am, and I can sigh with relief because my search for understanding is over. I have a friend who craves and creates adventure and when I drag my heels in caution, sets me on life’s roller coasters with bare feet so I can feel the breeze. As I seek comfort in her words, I know the fun will outweigh the fear. And I have a family created from compassion, that know when they need to carry me, pamper me, avoid me, tolerate me or at least bring home bread!
It is yet another blessing I have found that the people who love you find a way to hold you up, even with a clunky boot. It is as if the ones who love you find small, gentle ways to carry your load…making the insurmountable bearable.
These sweet tokens, whether wrapped in foil or found in a listening ear, are what we do for the ones we love. And I don’t want to take a bigger slice than I need. I don’t want to loaf around in my weighted shoes. I want to give the same compassion to the ones who cuddle me in cashmere and lighten my heavy heart. But right now…it feels good, like standing amongst oodles of loaves baked with living, loving yeast and a warm heart.