{I like to feed people}

One of the guys from our church back home, Jonathan, has been coming over most evenings since Saturday. He's the only guy down here except for Josiah, who's staying at our house. So we kinda adopted him for this week. 

The following scenario took place on Saturday night:

{Me} (making pizza with Erin) Jonathan, are you eating here tonight?

{Jonathan} Um, I don't know. I already ate over at the building. 

{M} Well, you can eat again, can't you? 

{J} I don't know...

{Erin} I don't think that was a question, really. 

{J} What?

{M} I really would like for you to eat something.

{J} Why?

{M} I like to feed people.

{E} Yeah, it's like an unwritten rule. You cross the threshold of this house and you have to eat something. 

{J} Um, okay? But I'm not hungry. 

{E} Why don't you just eat something!

{M} Can I get you something to drink?

{J} No, thanks. I brought this. (gestures to water bottle)

{M} Oh. Fine then. 

{J} Um, I think I need to go switch my wash over. 

{M} Are you coming back over? We'll have more pizza done by then. 

{J} Sure, I guess. 

(a while later Jonathan comes back)

 {M} Do you want to eat something now? 

{J} I guess I can fit a piece of pizza down. 

{E} Well, you crossed the threshold twice so I think that means you have to eat more because you didn't eat the first time.

{M} Do you want a glass of tea? 

I find it so fun to have people over and feed them. Erin and I were trying to explain it to Jonathan that night; we think we learned it from our Grandma Davis. She was always trying to feed people. Especially if you were skinny. 

"Boy, you need to eat lots of beans and potatoes, that'll fatten ya up."

"Why're you so skinny? Don'tcha eat nothin'?"

"Jessie, your boyfriends too thin, he looks like a bean pole. Make him a plate."

Not to mention she hardly ate with everyone else because she was so busy making sure everyone else had enough food. I can't count the number of times her kids have said, "Mom! Sit down and eat something!" But it just wasn't in her nature to do so. 

I'm glad she rubbed off on me. I'm also glad my Ma took the time to teach her girls how to cook, so that I can feed people. And feed them good food. 

I hope I turn out to be as good a cook, hostess, and mom as they are.