Thank You: Thank You Gladys for Comfort....

Hi Gladys,

Thank you so much for posting the recipe for meatloaf, a true comfort food.

I was born Nov 6, 1955. I was just 4 years old when I came out of Cuba in the midst of militant turmoil, was a pre-teen and living in The Bronx when Vietnam came around and a young idealic gradae school teacher when the Gulf War hit. I was literally, stunned, watching the unfolding events on TV, Tuesday, Sept. 12th. As the week went by, I could not go back to normalcy as I knew it, for I, like many others, was glued to the television. I flipped channels incessantly looking for as much information as I could. Every night I was up til 2AM until my husband told me, "it's not good to watch this all the time, it will depress you". We substited on sandwiches, I could not bring myself to cook. Last night I cooked for the very first time and it was healing. The chopping, cutting, dicing, washing utensils, measuring, all these acts were therapeutic to me. And so, later on, I planned the weeks' menu, all comfort foods...

Just like you, I seeked comfort food for my family. I will post later what I cooked on Sunday. Today is Monday, and I will force myself to do my household chores, seeking some semblance of routine.

We will never be the same because of this horrific occurance but we can seek peace and comfort and a sense of unity thru raising Old Glory out by our front door, lighting a candle to help those lost thru the night and to salute, in our hearts, those nameless heroes who so valiently gave their lives to save others. Keep those unsung heroes in our hearts and prayers that are right now at this very minute, continuing their heroic and brave efforts in the fight to find survivors.

I can't help but think of the countless of families across the U.S. and in other parts of our beautiful world who have lost a loved one....just like you, I pray continuously for them, that their anguish be lessened, that they find solace, oh those poor, poor families! How else can we be unified? Give that precious gift of yourself...donate blood.

I myself, find a way back to routine by coming to TKL where friends abound and are at the table sharing with one another their wonderful recipes. Right now, comfort food is truly comfort for it brings back memories of childhood where we have a sense of safety and the hearth of the home; of family whose protective arms envelope us with the knowledge that "everything will be alright".

Routine is something that children seek and are nurtured by, routine is essential to our psyche...our very being exacts it. And so, as I begin my routine again with a deep sense that our world as we knew it, won't be the same, I seek solace from you, my friends, as we pray for our President and his brave and courageous staff.

God Bless America and for all She stands for...