-from Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
I have a dear college friend Sarah who I reconnected with last year courtesy of facebook. We hadn't seen each other since graduation and soon made plans to meet up in person. In college we spent a summer backpacking across Europe and consulting maps to find youth hostels and local attractions. It seemed appropriate that our reunion would be spent exploring Brookfield Zoo with our little ones clutching to zoo maps and pointing out the different animals.
We both live in the Chicago area but far enough apart from each other that we aren't able to get together much. We mainly keep in touch through facebook and reading each other's blogs. We have discovered that we have lots in common like motherhood, cooking, running but even more importantly, we share two big things. First, we share a love for the band Over the Rhine. Secondly, a love for Shauna Niequist's writings. We've discussed both through status updates, blog comments and in person.
Right now, my friend Sarah is enduring one of the most painful experiences that I can imagine. She will be burying her sweet baby boy Simon on Thursday. He was born still this past weekend. At her 20 week ultrasound, the doctors told her the prognosis was bad and that there was no way Simon would survive and live here in this world. In spite of this, we were all praying for a miracle. I won't go into great details since it is her story to tell, but she spent the last two months living with this news, praying for a miracle and preparing for the worst.
Right in the middle of this, she threw out an invitation to me to come and cook with her at her house. She had also received an advanced copy of Bread & Wine to review and wanted to try one of the recipes out before she reviewed the book, but wasn't sure she was up to cooking on her own. I accepted the invitation readily because it was the only thing I could think of to do for her in a time like this. Words are always inadequate. We spent a Sunday afternoon together. We caught up on mundane life details over the chopping and sauteing of ingredients. While the chili simmered on the stove in the kitchen, we sat in her living room and shared our losses and struggles with faith in the midst of heartache.
Sarah is one of the most amazing women I know and I'm inspired by her. She doesn't really need to read Shauna's book because she already embodies so much of what Shauna is writing to inspire us to be. Her quiet strength and ability to welcome me into her home in the middle of her figurative mess has changed me. She gave me several precious hours of her time and even more importantly, she shared Simon's story and her own with me. Since we got together and made white chicken chili that afternoon, I've made it several times. Each time I make it, I think of Sarah and Simon. I'm sure I will always think of them when I make this recipe. There is something sacred about associating foods with people and experiences. If you know what I'm talking about, then this book is definitely for you.
"You'll miss the richest moments in life---if you're too scared or too ashamed to open the door. I know its scary, but throw open the door anyway, even though someone might see you in your terribly ugly half-zip."
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