STONE SOUP … (Or What’s For Supper?)

Crouching like a curious miner in a dark tunnel, I wedged my head between the produce drawer and last night’s stew.   Hmm… where was the special cheese, the spicy sausage and leftover homemade sauce?  Where were the cartons of fresh eggs, bread and fresh hamburgers?  And the plate full of leftover chocolate cake as well as sandwich meat yearning to be tucked into a savory roll?   

“Where was everything?”  I yelled.

It seemed like yesterday when my husband had shopped and packed these shelves ready to burst.  I was counting my blessings, imagining filling up my favorite frying pan with tasty suppers.

Hmm… what do I have here?  Yanking at the bottom drawer, bold colored veggies greeted me. There were carrots, ripe tomatoes, fresh zucchini, red peppers, huge yellow onions and sweet potatoes.  There were also some fresh herbs that I picked from the garden this morning.  Then, in a far corner of the fridge, I noticed a container of chicken broth and some store-bought rolls to bake.

Such an unexpected bounty. 

My mind swirled.  It reminded me of long ago when I was struggling as a college student.  I often went hungry with only some odd food items to cook from the fridge. There was only one thing to do.  Cook up “something” that would fill up my belly now and perhaps leave something for tomorrow … this was my hope.  

It was time for Stone Soup.

That was then … now to "re-simmer" it up again.  

So out it came, my seasoned pot.  I yanked it with all my strength and hoisted in on the stove.  Then came the knives, cutting board and all the fresh veggies and herbs. 

The chop, chop, chop began.  Into the pot they went to soften and then gently season with the fresh herbs and a splash of broth.

It was then time to stir, simmer and wait for it to become.  As the pungent scent filled the kitchen, I sat for a moment, anticipating the savory concoction.

Today’s Stone Soup.  With such promise, I hoped it would be the tastiest yet.

Dunking a spoon to sample a taste, I wondered … how much of life can be likened to stone soup?  Every day there is a multitude of upsets, possibilities, and actions to consider. A bowl of warm stone soup could ease the upset and prompt a smile.  Personally, I was now experiencing such a time.  Let me explain. 

Every day, a power walk begs my attention. I anticipate the wind on my cheek, as my walking shoes are ready to take one step after another. Out I go. Quickly, a warm flush fills my entire being as a welcome sweat trickles down my back.  “It feels so good to be alive!”

One day recently, the power walk was not to be.  A tilt of my head and a moment of distraction compromised my balance and focus.  Horrors!  Then, blindly taking another step, I was outdone by an uneven sidewalk. The heel of my left shoe caught in a gap as the right toe went tripping into another.  It launched me face first onto the unforgiving cement pavement.

Lying stunned, I was quiet for a long moment. I slowly reached back into my pocket for the phone.  Not there. I looked about for any leverage to assist me in getting up… possibly a fence, tree limb or even some very lumpy grass.  Nothing. I became very still, now listening for a human voice. 

Hmm… the air was still, not even a bird squawking. What was I to do? Suddenly, large hands eased me up, handed me a frozen water bottle to put on my injured arm and drove me two blocks back home. It was as if he was an angel.  I was so grateful.

 Soon after, a walk-in clinic found a fracture in my arm.  Upon seeing a doctor two days later, it revealed that I had shattered my elbow that required emergency surgery. Oh, what a day!

I am now recovering.  And I am living life in fresh and different ways.  I believe that this experience was akin to making stone soup…  joining together the many possibilities to create a fresh start…  and with renewed vigor and anticipation. 

 … “and that’s how I live it.”

Blessing and heartfelt appreciation to the very kind gentleman who witnessed my dilemma, lifted me up and took me home.  Thank you.