Reconnecting

This past year has been a year of reconnecting for me. I think this falls squarely in line with my goal of bringing more fun into my life.

Over the last year, I have reconnected with far-away family and friends through Facebook. This has been a great experience because I can keep up with what’s going on in their lives without waiting for the annual Christmas letter.

In October, we attended a family reunion in Hanford, California. The reunion was the Fullerton side of my family—my paternal grandmother’s family. We visited the local sights, including the sight of the old family farm. It was great to see family I had never met or had not seen in years. It was fun to spend time with my immediate family from Southern California, especially my grandfather, my aunt, my uncle and two of my three cousins who I only see about once a year if I am lucky.

In January, I flew to Las Vegas to reconnect with five former high school classmates. It was a whirlwind 24 hours, but we had the best time together catching up on the past 27 years and looking over our senior yearbook. The best part was we could enjoy each other’s company as 40-something adults. We have talked about trying for another get-together next January!

Now that we have moved into our new home, I have found it easier to reconnect with my sister. The move only put us about 20 minutes closer together, but with kids and busy lives, less travel time sure makes it easier for us to connect.

Reconnect with someone from your past. You may be surprised at the opportunities that unfold.

I Feed People

Recently, my husband and I had my co-worker and his wife over for dinner. I cooked the Indian recipes I learned during a class I took in San Francisco. I set a beautiful table—although, it was nearly ruined 10 minutes before my guests were scheduled to arrive. My curious cat Atticus jumped up on the table to inspect the full water glasses (he loves water) and knocked one of them across the silk tablecloth and pashmina shawl I used as a runner. I promptly threw them in the dryer and everything was good as new in 15 minutes. Good thing my guests were running late.

I learned to cook with my grandmother. She was a great cook and loved to cook for her family. She was patient and never stressed about the mess I made in her kitchen. After I was married, I started collecting cookbooks, reading them like some people read novels. That was 19 years ago. I am a good cook and love to cook for people. While some people cook only because they have to eat, I cook as a hobby. I love to cook for people. I love to see people enjoy what I cook for them.

My latest volunteer project also involves food. My friend Stephanie Meineke and I are co-chairs of the I-HELP program at St. George’s Episcopal Church. I-HELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program) offers single men shelter, food, and support though the gracious, generous, and continued support of over 60 Monterey County churches, synagogues, temples, and religious organizations including St. George's. I-HELP has never missed a night of offering services for the homeless in its 15 years of operation. What a great program! On the third and fifth Thursdays of the month, the volunteers at St. George's provide a meal, conversation, shelter and breakfast to-go for 25-30 homeless men. I get the same satisfaction cooking for these guys as I do cooking for my friends.

It is who I am—I feed people. It feeds my soul.

• LL