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#HalfTheStory
1_EDITED
After the Dish
Creative Outlets
Culture/Travel
Faith
Health
HRW Music Group
Inspirational People
Overcoming Challenges
Sports
Wish Dish Staff Blog

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Salvation in the Vegetable Bin

February 3
by
Rochelle Foles
in
Overcoming Challenges
with
.

It’s just after noon on

A wet, cold

Saturday

 

And

I find myself ¾

Of the way

From the front of a rather

Bedraggled but colorful

Block long

Line

Of

Stories

Showing up as

People

Of

Indescribable

Similarities

And differences

 

Betrayed

By their

Hungry bellies

 

Who

Never

In a world of Sundays

Would they

Nor I,

Have ever expected

To find themselves

Here.

 

Former

Teachers

Bankers

Techies

Yogis

Massage therapists

Bartenders

Retailers

Writers

Bike messengers

Heirs to fortunes

 

Standing

Shoulder to

Cart

To cardboard fruit-box

Banana usually

To recycled plastic target bags

To large rolling black zippered suitcases

 

Patiently

Civilly

Respectfully

Genuinely gratefully

Quietly

Waiting. Each knowing they would have a turn

Groups of three enter respectfully

With anticipation in their eyes

 

Another group

Exits the door

 

Bags

Boxes

Carts

Suitcases

And backpacks

 

Generously filled

With food

Food to fill the belly

Food to calm the soul

Food to quiet the fears

Food to reassure

 

That

For this week

This week

There would be.

They would not go to bed hungry.

 

And next week

Next week

The line will form

The dance begin

Refrain

Chorus

Repeat

 

Gratitude

 

Food

 

I find myself again

Among them

 

A former chef

Known in my community

Here, unknown

The same as every other hungry belly

Seeking solace

 

And I find

As much as anyone

I belong

 

And perhaps in my own way

My own experience

My appreciation

And gratitude

Extends

Far beyond the silenced

Belly crying out in hunger

 

My humiliation

 

The degradation

I once hid

Though shamed

 

Ashamed

Believing my presence

Proved I had “failed”

 

Has now become

A door to

Universal connection

 

[They say the hearth is the heart of the home. Perhaps food kitchens are the souls of today’s splintered society.]

 

[I was at the food bank this afternoon and as i spoke with those in line around me I realized how my situation was not atypical, but rather part of the norm.]%tags Overcoming Challenges

 

Most of the people there were going through hard times, like myself.

 

My deepest held beliefs were again shown to be true to me. we are all one. And

Love IS the answer. For with love comes acceptance

With acceptance there is naturally tolerance.

If we tolerate we have an opening to listen.

By listening we have the opportunity to understand.

When we understand we have the ability to embrace.

If we are holding someone

How is it possible to wage war or experience

Hatred towards them?

 

[Love is the root of the answer to every question]

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