relationship matters

Tomatoes are always a staple in my home.  They just are...I measure my need to go to the store  by whether I am out of tomatoes...I can run out of milk, bread, even coffee, but what really makes me go to the store is when I run out of tomatoes.  Hmmm.  Why?  Is it the taste?  Is it the nutritional value?

I think I've figured it out.  Tomatoes remind me of my grandparents.  Mama Jewell, the most generous woman I've known, grew and gave away most of her tomatoes.  (She hid the plumpest most robust tomatoes under her bed for her favorite friends.)  And Gran Gran, the meekest, kindest man I've known, who measured the value of a meal by how many colors were on the table.  (Tomatoes brought the brilliant red...)  Both people modeled great faith, integrity and unconditional love.

I love tomatoes because they remind me of two people I adored.  People who I respected, loved, miss, and look forward to seeing again...It's about relationship.    Things that matter to me, really matter, whether it's food, art, places, books, or movies...matter because they connect me to either God or people...people I can love, respect, give to, and do life with.

Tomatoes...relationship.  Who knew?