Friday, July 19, 2013

The Best Meal I've Ever Eaten


     I have had many amazing meals, but I have to say that the best one occurred while visiting my family in Syria. I was nine years old and it was our last day there; in fact, we had to leave for our flight in a matter of hours. But I was really, really hungry! So I told my grandma and she set about making me some chicken, rice and potato soup.           It sounds pretty plain and simple, but she made it something special. 
     She cobbled together this huge pot of soup and I sat down at the empty table with a bowl and the entire pot of soup beside it, and she ladled a serving into my bowl. And I slurped up every drop. She poured me another bowl, and I ate that one too. She kept filling my bowl until the ENTIRE pot of soup was gone. It must have been at least a gallon. My stomach felt like it was stretched as taut as a birthday balloon, and I was beyond satisfied.  As I left the table, treading sleepy slow steps with heavy-lidded eyes, I could feel that light but deeply flavorful broth sloshing around in my tummy. We left and I slept for hours on the plane.
     Thinking back on it now, she might have been deliberately trying to fill me up as much as she could. That soup was a symbol of her love and the meal itself represents her generosity. I may have eaten at some of Columbus' highly rated restaurants, and tried many adventurous dishes and creative flavor profiles, but that soup is without a doubt the best meal I have ever had. I was feasting on love, and I could have as much as I wanted. In fact, I could have all of it! And I did! I sat at the table ravenous and I left the table rounder, happier, fuller. Who could ask for more?