Posted by This story is one that has been on “the back burner” for awhile, which will make more sense here in just a moment…
On November 16, 2013, in the middle of a snow storm, I decided to walk down to our mailbox and post a letter to my daughter, Emily, who is serving an LDS mission in Paris, France. Somewhere at the bottom of our steep driveway, I fell and hit the back of my head, picked myself up, mailed that letter and got back into the house. Naturally I don’t remember any of this but once my husband realized I didn’t know where Emily was, he took me to the ER.
After a catscan confirming a small concussion, the doctor said “oh, and you also have a brain tumor”. He was so casual about it that we thought he was joking at first. I wasn’t actually that surprised because I had been having several increasingly suspicious symptoms, which were getting worse and worse. Balance, memory, mood swings, choking on hot foods, weaving when driving, major anxiety over loosing control of my life were all part of the concerns that kept growing. I thought it was just menopause and even went to counseling. Kind of ironic now…she let me go after a few visits and recommended a book on relaxation.
Five days after that night in the ER (and a transfer to University of Utah Hospital in an ambulance) we met with my Neurologist, Dr. Schmidt. That was a long wait I must say. As we came home from the first appointment, we were hopeful but tired and scared and hungry. This is when the wonderful night began….
My friend Debbie Stevenson called and said “God told me to put a turkey breast in the oven today, which means that I’m bringing you dinner.” I could barely contain my excitement at the possibility of such a tasty home-cooked meal. Yes. I would not allow pride to get in the way, not even for one minute. As the night wore on, a huge “east wind” began blowing and our electricity went out. It was dark and cold in our house. Debbie suggested we come over there…what? She just lives around the corner and down another street in our neighborhood. It turns out the electricity was out in every home between ours and hers. Then, like an oasis in the dessert, we drove up to her house, all lit up with the amazing smell of turkey wafting out of her front door. It was warm and cozy and comforting in her home as we sat around the table with Debbie and Todd and enjoyed the most delicious meal I can remember having. Ever. It was just perfect in every way. The company. The comfort. The food. It was tangible.
I felt the love of my Savior, Jesus Christ that night and for days afterwards. When we allow others to serve us, not only do we feel better, but so do they.
Recipe for a Thanksgiving Blessing:
- 1 cup of spirituality
- A dose of intuition
- 1 home cooked comfort meal
- A desire to serve and lift others
This is what Debbie’s recipe was on that cold fall night. For us it was a recipe made in heaven.
Family ~ Food ~ Roots 
Dear Liz, Thank-you so much for being my friend and allowing to serve you in that way. I feel like it was a great privilege to be picked to make that dinner and I will never forget the spirit and the warm glow that was there when you came. It also was a huge blessing for me and you captured it beautifully in your blog. You need to write a BOOK! I can’t wait to see what comes. Thank-you for your faith and your example to all. We love you and your family. I can’t wait for our next adventure. Love you Debbie
On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 9:43 AM, Family Food Roots wrote:
> What’s at the root of your food? posted: ” This story is one that has > been on “the back burner” for awhile, which will make more sense here in > just a moment… On November 16, 2013, in the middle of a snow storm, I > decided to walk down to our mailbox and post a letter to my daughter, > Emily,”