U is for United

* This  the house, my Dad grew up in and the street I lived on...I can't find a pic of my house, yet)
The house I had tea with my Nannie Nonnie, it has changed some, this tree wasn't in the front, but not
much different. 

I remember when I first found blogging; I had that aaaahh, feeling.  A feeling that I had found my people.  Creative people that understood me; people who shared similar traits. Online I found kindred souls, people who posted about their passion to create and make things.  Yes, I have had encounters with like minded people, but not to this degree. 

 I grew up in a neighborhood of mainly boys and two tom boys;I was the only girly girl.  I did play baseball, collect baseball cards, if not, well, I would of been alone. There were times, I would have tea parties and play by myself with my dolls ,under the umbrella of two huge maple trees.   I did find creative outlets, I had a neighborhood store, once a week, through the summer, I was nine when I started my business.  I would make cupcakes, cookies,  had a mini coke machine, sell baseball cards and wrapped candy.  Later, I added  to my inventory and made fudge.  I received a mini grill at Christmas, so I made mini toasted cheese sandwiches.   My store became, so popular, I needed help.  I had no problem, all the neighborhood kids took turns weekly and I paid, them off in food.   Mmmh, is this where the culinary gene began?!   I found a way to unite myself with  kids, that I really didn't have much in common with.  A united front, if you will.  .(This was my Mom's idea to help me find a way to fit it!  Thanks Mom~)

Food does unite people and brings them together.   Think of all of the functions you go to, bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, birthdays, wakes, funerals, what unites us, a celebration, death and social activities.    Maybe this is why I have toyed with the idea of being in the culinary industry, it reminds me of bringing souls to together in hopes of providing joy.

When I became a Type 1 diabetic, I truly found out how much food, brought people together and how I again, felt left out.  I had to find other ways to unite, while watching others eat birthday cake, while I enjoyed my apple or diet soda.  I was bitter n' sad for awhile.   I won't lie, I still have moments when it is painful to be
around some of these food gatherings.  I am probably the only person on the planet that dislikes Thanksgiving.
I bake and cook all this food and can't eat much of it.   Then there is the clean up..the whole day is celebrated with food.   I try to be thankful, that I survived and I am here to celebrate another year, but the coin can flip at any moment, especially, when I want real pie, not sugar free.   I don't want pity; I am fortunate, just it is
an internal battle I have daily.  I have to walk a tightrope of being good and then the human factor of wanting to be like everyone else and just have an ice cream or whatever, when I want it.  Some days are  difficult; I have walked this rope for 23 yrs. 

Blogging has helped me widen my focus;  I see souls sharing their passions, their words, and their lives.  I see beyond the plate of cookies and how people's feelings is what truly unites us.  It is the human condition of being heard and someone listening to you, even if they don't share your passions or your hobbies.
There is respect and compassion for what you enjoy!

When I began writing I was going to mention, my husband being in the United States Navy ,how the families I have met are an extended family.   They are, but somehow this flashback to my childhood, showed up.
I do feel a union with the A-Z blogging group; everyday we struggle to come up with something that someone else didn't think of.  If we did post the same word, it is always interesting to see their interpretation, their
spin on it!     We share a union of a theme; I am happy to be part of such a unique group~