Food + People = memorable times

    Over the past few days I have had several meals with various people.  Thinking back on this has made me realize how much more a meal can mean to someone than just a time to eat.  Now, anyone who knows me that a key part of my inner "Opher" revolves around food.  And this is very true, I love my food.  But I find that I love the conversation and community that comes from meals and food more so than food itself.  The power of a meal is strong.
    Whenever I am having a serious conversation with someone it is often times over a meal.  Whenever I am catching up with a friend it is often times around a meal.  Meals are a center point of my social life.  I have good, tough, fun, bad, sad, and every other types of conversations around food.  In the past week I have had a very tough conversation, two casual and fun hangouts with food the focal point, another tough but loving conversation, a goofy and fun taco bell run with YL guys, and a hangout/catch up lunch with an old friend.  Now you may read that and think "WOW, he eats out a lot."  And yes I do, but I rarely eat out alone.  It is almost always with other people.  In fact I already have a lunch planned for tomorrow with a good friend of mine.  All these conversations are necessary, some more than others.  But through food we can share stories, laughter, love, anger, concerns, and what ever else we need.
   In fact, the idea of conversations around food is nothing new.  Read through the gospels in the Bible.  You will find that Jesus was often times inviting people to have a meal with him or he was providing a meal to show his love and compassion.  Even when it seemed he did not have the means to do so, he did so.  (The Feeding of the Five Thousand)  And this tradition has carried on.  And I carry this on.
   So, eat some food with people, let the conversations flow.  If you have a meal with me you will probably have an awkward but enjoyable time.  I believe you can learn a lot about who someone is by having a meal with them.  At least, I scare alot of people off at meals.  My awkwardness and odd sense of humor, oh and my lack of attention span and weird tendencies.  (My YL guys have pointed out that when eating tacos I alway break of pieces of the shell and eat them before I eat the taco.)
   Well, this was just a random thought of mine.  I hope it finds you well.  And if you do not eat food, have coffee with someone.  Does the same thing.
Peace out!!