Sometimes words aren’t that important.

Did you feel that? I think the earth just moved, startled by that admission coming from me. See, I am a lover of words. I really, really love them. Finding the perfect word that conveys just the right nuance of a situation is pure joy to me. However, the truth is that words are really just representations. They are representations of things, places, actions, and sometimes feelings.  They derive meaning from what they represent, not just from being.

When this crazy idea first popped into my head, I just imagined dropping loaves off at people’s houses who were miraculously always home when you knocked, and you already knew where they lived, and they opened the door to you both literally and figuratively.  Then, I started to put together my planning list of who I wanted to give bread. It quickly became clear that stopping off at their house wouldn’t always work. You just try sending your kid to school to ask their teacher where they live…it is not advised.  

See, originally, I was entirely hung up on having verbal words with someone and having them face to face.  The whole point is making a connection, right? However, the fact is, the action of thinking of someone and baking bread with them in mind–acting intentionally–is much more important than any words I would or could string together with my delivery.  That very intentionality can create just the connection I am looking for.  It is the gesture, the time spent thinking of the other person, creating something specifically for them that really is the focus. Sometimes all that needs to be said can be summed up in the act of extending your hands out to someone else. Especially if your hands are holding warm bread.

So, today’s gift was short on words but big on feelings. I went with a very simple, yet beautiful wheat-hinted no-knead boule. I think it is stunning and my house certainly smelled amazing. I stopped off at one of my son’s friends house on this drizzly cool Tuesday night. I hopped out of the car and was able to hand my bread over and simply say, this is for you. And the look of surprise and delight on their face said everything. That, and the warm hug that came with it conveyed everything that I was looking for.   I felt love for their family, and I think they felt loved.  What more could anyone say?