• YOUR TRUE STORIES •

MAKING FRIENDS WITH MY KITCHEN

When my son’s kindergarten teacher had the kids draw pictures of their moms, he drew me baking a birthday cake. A note on my refrigerator says, “Deer Mom. Yor fud is gud.” (Translation: Dear Mom. Your food is good.) If you asked me what I did best, cooking would be far down on the list. I cook out of necessity. Hungry family + tight budget = being forced to become friends with my kitchen. I didn’t have cash for a bakery birthday cake and the meal that inspired my son’s note was made out of leftovers and random cans from my pantry. One day, after getting frustrated by a recipe that wouldn’t turn out, I asked my son why he thought I was a good cook. “Because you love us,” he said as he reached over to give me a kiss on the cheek. Yup. That works for me.

—Dana Hinders Clarksville, Iowa

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

A group of uniformed servicemen was exiting a restaurant as I entered with a group of teacher friends wearing our school shirts. I thanked them for serving our country, and as they walked away, I heard one say, “They’re the ones who work in a war zone full of runny noses, stacks of papers, and 1,000 questions a day. I prefer my job!” Coming from a military family, I was both humbled and amused by our mutual admiration.

—Stephanie A. Woodard Missouri City, Texas