Picture BOOK-:- "Thank You OMU"-:-Sharing Food with Neighbors Represents "Community Love" to our Youth!

So Simple, So Good - How Food Can Bring a Community Together!

This lovely children's picture book by, Oge Mora, brings back memories. 

    As a child, growing up in the suburbs neighborhood kids played in each other's yards after school until 5 pm and usually on a regular basis. After school, the thing was to come home from school, have a cookie and glass of milk, maybe watch one half-hour cartoon or show, and then head out the door again to play. Some kids had to do all their homework first in order to go outside or practice an instrument for an hour, but going outside to play was a huge incentive and our go-to desire. 

    Our initial gathering determined whose front yard would be subject to the gang and then what game would be played; usually, the deciding factor would be by voting and the "majority rule" concept. If it was an even vote, we'd resolve with "pick a number between 1 and 10."

    The lawn games played were; "Tag, Freeze Tag, Red Light Green Light, Statue Statue, Mother May I,  Hide and Go Seek, and Keep Away." All kid-approved as well as parent-approved. Sometimes we'd put on plays, ride our bikes, roller skate, draw with chalk, etc. The determining factor was who's house was available and conducive to that particular game chosen. 

    We all loved being together mostly, sometimes there would be fights among siblings due to age difference, but we wanted to include everyone, most of the time. Sometimes feelings would be hurt and that particular child would run off inside spouting bad words, sulking and frustrated, but it wasn't before long they would rejoin the gang like nothing had passed. It was much too important for us to stick together.

     We played so hard, getting every last minute before the sun would drop behind the rooftops on our main street. We knew we had another 20 minutes or so before dusk and we'd have to stop and go in. A lovely time of night when we could smell all the great home-cooking smells wafting and beckoning us indoors, reminding us that good food was at hand. (Always after washing up of course). The comfort and love we felt knowing Mom (sometimes Dad) was preparing us sustenance to keep our little bodies growing, it was so reassuring and so memorable. Even though we mostly ate separately with our own families, all us kids knew what our other neighborhood friends and families were also doing at this 5:30 pm dinner bell; eating good meals together, and somehow by knowing it, it bonded us further as a healthy neighborhood community. 

    I loved this book as it brought out special memory's in my mind. Recollecting all the good childhood times I shared with neighborhood friends and the community.

    I know eating meals together, sharing food, shows care, and ultimately a bond full of hopeful, helpful neighborly love. Try making some banana bread and sharing half a loaf with a neighbor and see what happens. The thoughtfulness and kindness of the act will spread in your community and soon you all will be having potlucks on special days together, ie; the 4th of July!

    As God says in the Bible, "Love your Neighbors as Yourselves." Amen!