Ómós Digest #160: Around The Table

The importance of mealtimes. Written by Cissy Difford.

Dear Readers,

I always love the moment I receive a newsletter submission from Cissy Difford. She has a wonderful ability to bring reassured thoughtfulness to each and every article she composes. This piece on the importance of mealtimes is no different.

I hope you enjoy it.

Cúán

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The Power of Mealtime

“You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal.”

—  Anthony Bourdain

The meal is a ritual that has been around for millenia, from our primal ancestors to our fast-food eating contemporaries. However, it is only in the last 6 weeks or so that I’ve fully come to appreciate the meal in all its glory. You might be wondering why. Well, during this period, I’ve been house hopping between the homes of my family and friends whilst looking for somewhere more permanent to live. Not having somewhere of my own has been quite exciting and really quite boring and annoying. Having to pack for an unknown amount of days or guess when you might be able to wash your clothes next is not something I want to revisit any time soon. Although this has been only a mild inconvenience, it has at times thrown me off course into feeling quite unsettled. (Of course, I say this with the utter privilege of actually having a bed and roof to sleep under every night). Something that has kept me feeling settled is sharing meals with the people I have stayed with. In my notebook, I wrote this after one dinner with my family.