Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Longer essay 1

In the Bible, it records that food was the downfall of man.Because Adam ate a fruit, the human race has fallen into a sinful state. However, the Bible also states that Jesus is preparing a great feast for us when we all get to heaven. There is something spiritual about food. It caused us to sin and in the end it will be used to celebrate once we have all made it home. Jesus believed in good food, his first miracle as a man consisted of him turning water into the best wine that those at the wedding had ever tasted.

Food is probably one of the best things that God has given us. And within this gift holds the power to bind family and friends. Dinner was a time that my family would spend together eating, talking and growing closer as a family. I think that pleasuring your taste buds and satisfying your hunger puts a person in such a pleasant mood that all tension or strife is forgotten. I believe that food has the power to bring that spiritual aspect. The act of making food for someone is a reflection of love and care.Husbands cook for their wives, and vice versa, to demonstrate the love that they have for them. As a young girl I was taught that “a way to man’s heart is through his stomach.” I was told that preparing food for a man would cast a spell over him as his heart would be mine forever, well not exactly, but something like that.Food has spiritual implications of love and affection. I define the term spiritual as the intimacy and love between humans, found in many different relationships formed throughout one's life.

But the meal that trumps all other meals is Thanksgiving. During Thanksgiving my dad's family gathers at one of their homes. They bring along their children and spouses and most importantly, the food. My dad has about 8 brothers and sisters who all have children, so the it can be a rather large group, especially when boyfriend, girlfriends, and church friends are invited. The aroma of the food fills the air as hugs and love are exchanged. We sit down at the table, the man of the house gives a little speech, everyone says what they’re thankful for, he prays a blessing over the meal and the family. Then, we eat. As we eat, we laugh and joke and talk.

The food is usually really good and consist of baked macaroni and cheese, turkey—of course, candy yams, chicken, cranberry sauce, veggie meat, salad, rice and peas and many other dishes. While we eat we talk amongst each other and connect as a family. Jokes are made, amazing facts are given, intimate details that were missed throughout the year are shared, and of course we discuss how good the food is. After the food is devoured, we clear off the table and the adults sit around and talk politics, the cousins go down stairs and talk and watch movies. After a half hour or so it is to time for dessert which usually consists of chocolate cake, apple, pumpkin pie, and sweet potato pie, along with ice cream and maybe cheese cake. This is undoubtedly the most wonderful time of the year. It is a time of love, fellowship, family and food.

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