"I, too, enjoy having people to my table and sharing my food, I don't mind spending a good portion of my evening warming sauces and getting a new fork or a dollop of this and that. In truth, for people I like or love I really enjoy it; when something is so good a guest will try to sneak a spoonful from a neighbor or off my plate and conversation is fun. There is a simple joy in knowing you can make someone else have a moment off, a time of pure joy, as tastes dance on their tongue and they have to do nothing but receive it. It also allows me to escape the table if I ever feel the need. 'Oh I just need to check on the dessert' can really mean, I need some quiet time. A sip of wine alone in an otherwise muddled day.
"Service can be seen as a lowly place, but in my eyes it is not. Serving is a place of control, which is probably why both my Grandmother and I enjoyed it. You set the tone, the timing, and the dance of the meal. If you're lucky enough to have someone in your family who serves your food with warmth and love and no expectations, the next time you have the plate rested in front of you — smile. We don't always need to hear it; a verbal thanks can seem forced or make the giving awkward, but seeing the thanks is always nice.
"For me, the ultimate privilege is to serve someone birthday cake. I will only serve cakes that I have made myself from scratch. No store-bought cake, fancy or not will ever be the same as a cake iced by a person who cares enough to mix it all together — real vanilla, fresh eggs, in a flavor that is personal to them. In the end, serving is important because it is so personal. You are giving someone their sustenance, their energy, and, when done with intention, a little slice of joy."
