Cooking to Cope

One of the ways that I cope with My diagnosis is through cooking. I find that creating culinary delights makes Me very happy. I got a piece of personal bad news this morning and started feeling a bit down, so I just looked at My caregiver and in a loud voice said “IT’S TIME TO COOK!”

Cooking is an art, not a science. I live in Texas, where cooking basically means that recipes are general guidelines and measurements are simply suggestions. I’ve just finished taking My first attempt at bread — Irish soda bread — out of the oven, and it smells delicious.

I have a friend from church, Alan, and his wife also has a terminal diagnosis although for a different reason. She, as do I, finds comfort and joy in cooking and baking. Alan came over to visit yesterday and sent along some baked goods that his wife had made; they were incredible. Very sugary though, so since I’m a borderline diabetic, I can only eat a little bit at a time!

Oh, and let Me explain that “from church” thing. I haven’t always been an atheist. When I was a teenager I was actually considering becoming a pastor. Over the years I have explored various religious paths including Protestantism, Russian Orthodoxy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormonism and even Satanism for several years. I still have friends who are religious and I wouldn’t trade most of those friendships for anything.

I do have to wonder if cooking — or creation of some sort — is a common way that people have found to cope with problems in their lives. I know many writers, artists, even actors have deep emotional issues and use their arts to help them stay sane. I’d be curious to know if there are many cooks who feel the same way.

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