How’s the Food?
When life feels overwhelming, time loses its meaning. In those dark, exhausting moments, the ticking clock and waiting faces fade into the background, and even the growl of an empty stomach goes unheard as your heart feels too heavy to care. Sometimes, it’s not just busyness but the weight of sadness that takes away your appetite for life
In the depths of a hectic and rough life, I received a few simple yet beautiful words that instantly lifted the weight off my heart and mind. I can’t even recall if I’ve heard such kind words before, or if it was just the perfect timing, but these simple words made my body, my mind, and my heart feel light and warm. It was when someone wished me this:
“I hope you eat the tastiest food.”
Initially, reminding someone to eat seemed like a kind gesture, a sign of care. But hoping that the food they eat is tastier — that holds a profound meaning. It’s not merely about nourishing the body; it’s about offering a heartfelt wish for a moment of joy and comfort. It’s as if he understood that this hope wasn’t just for my stomach or to ease any indigestion, but for me as a person, deserving of a moment of joy and warmth through the simple act of enjoying good food.
In many Asian cultures, food is often seen as a solution to anger, exhaustion, or boredom. Like parents who scold their children but still invite them to dinner at the table, or couples who share dessert to ease their frustrations, or friends who enjoy a large pizza together after an exam. I am accustomed to reminders like ‘don’t forget to eat,’ as I have a sensitive stomach (lol). But giving hope and meaning to the food I eat lightens my heart.
In the end, perhaps it’s not the words themselves that touch you, but the soul behind them. But does it really matter? Hope is a delicate thread we cling to, no matter how it’s woven. Even as he navigates his own struggles, he found a way to infuse meaning into something as simple as wishing me the most delicious food. It’s a testament to the power of kindness — a soft whisper of care that transcends the boundaries of our own pain and reaches out to soothe another’s.
In reflecting on this, I find a parallel in IU’s lyrics from ‘Through the Night.’ The song captures a profound simplicity: what is love, if not the desire for someone to sleep peacefully at night, free from worries and fears? Love, in its essence, is not always about grand gestures but often resides in these gentle wishes, expressed in the quiet moments of darkness. IU’s song, meant for fans who struggle with insomnia, speaks volumes through its understated message of care and comfort.
It reminds me that the most profound forms of love and kindness are often the simplest. Sometimes, the most beautiful gestures are those that wish for another’s peace and happiness in the quietest of ways.
So, with all my heart, I hope that he, and each of you who reads this, savor the tastiest food and discover moments of warmth and delight in the everyday. ❤︎
