"If you can't feed a hundred people. . . then feed just one." ~St. Teresa of Calcutta

Today's challenge is about sharing. The school is collecting donations for the Salvation Army. What do you do? I was not expecting this. My cupboards are almost bare, and the items I have are indispensable elements of my perfect meal plan.

A scene from Little Women comes to mind. The March sisters are gathering at the table for Christmas Breakfast. Amy is ecstatic at the sight of foods that have been scarce in their home for some time; sausage, oranges and butter. She even exclaims, "Isn't butter divinity?" Shortly after, the girls learn that there is a family living nearby that is suffering greatly. Meg suggests sharing their bread, and soon the girls are gaily delivering their entire breakfast.

I know just the item that will be donated. It is a large can of peaches that was to be our "treat" for the week. I had planned to dish the peaches into lovely little crystal bowls and chill them in the fridge. This way, whenever we opened the fridge we would see the peaches and anticipate the moment we could finally eat them. I remember my grandma doing this when I was a child. Something as simple as canned fruit cocktail seemed fit for a queen when it was chilled in a crystal bowl.

I am content with the food we have been eating, but it requires a lot of work. We make oatmeal for breakfast with brown sugar and milk. Lunches consist of strawberry jam sandwiches, popcorn, oranges and yogurt. I cooked the small chicken in the crockpot today and made chicken and rice soup for tomorrow. Tonight's dinner was macaroni and canned tomatoes, with cheese sprinkled on top. It was delicious and will last for two meals. There is another batch of dough rising so I can make buns later tonight. If I can stay awake long enough, I will try to make oatmeal cookies, but I am really, really tired.

I am still mulling over the idea of sharing. As a Kindergarten teacher, I am quite experienced in teaching human beings to share. It can be difficult for very young children because they are often uncertain they will ever have the item in their own hands again. I have often heard my father in law, Harry, talk about how his mother shared. She had thirteen children to feed yet she still found a way to give to others, whether it was an extra chair pulled up to the dinner table, or a few additional lunches packed for children attending school. It is important that children see adults share. Sharing gives hope to the recipient, but it also brings joy to the giver.