FoodforThought(1)

FoodforThought(1)

FromthetimeIwasachildgrowingupinNewJersey，Ilovedspendingweekendswithmygrandparents.Theirbigoldhousewascozy，andIfeltespeciallywelcomeandrelaxedinGranny’ssmallkitchen.Itwastherethatwehadintimateconversations，andGrannyalwaysseemedtoincludemorselsofwisdomwitheveryrecipesheprepared.

IrememberoneSaturdaymorninginparticular.Iwasabout11yearsoldandhadspentthenight.AfterbreakfastIaskedGranny，“Whatkindofsoupareyoumakingtoday？”Icouldsmellthebrothsimmeringinablue-speckledenamelwarepotontopoftheoldgasstove.

“Vegetablebeef，”sheanswered.“Andyoucanhelpbychoppingsomecarrotsandcelery.”

Grannytiedanapronaroundherfullwaist.Wegotthevegetablesfromtherefrigerator：onions，carrots，celery，potatoesandcauliflower.ShegavemeaknifeandcuttingboardsoIcoulddomyshareofthework.

AsIslowlypeeledcarrots，Ilamented，“I’vegottogiveanoralbookreportnextweekandI’mscared.”

Grannylookedatmeandthenbacktothehandfulofchoppedonionsshehadmeasuredinherhand.Shedumpedthemintothesouppotandsaid，“Mostpeopleareafraidofpublicspeaking.Butremember，theonlythingwehavetofearisfearitself.So，whatexactlyareyouafraidof？”

Islumpedinmychair.“Everything，Iguess.Idon’tlikestandingupinfrontofeverybody.WhatifIforgetwhatI’mgoingtosay？Orwhatifsomebodylaughs？”

“Andwhatifyoudojustfine？”Grannyasked.“Haveyoupreparednotes？”

“Well，no.Thatwouldbealotofextrawork.”“Hardworkneverhurtanyone，”Grannycautionedasshepointedthewoodenspoontowardme.“Youcouldtrypracticinginfrontofamirror.”

Ipushedthepiecesofcarrotstothesideofthecuttingboard.TheroomwasquietexceptforGranny’sthick-heeledlace-upshoesclickingacrossthewornlinoleumfloor.Shetookthechoppedcarrotstothestoveandaddedthemtothesoup.Then，asIslicedcelery，Iwentontocomplainaboutschoolwork，friendsandfamily.AsfarasIwasconcerned，Ihadmoretroublesthantheamountofchoppedvegetablesonthewoodencuttingboard

infrontofme.