Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most

COMMENTARY
By Krista Bocko

I recently made a meal and took it to a family I know that needs a little extra love and care. It really wasn’t a big deal (though it sort of is to me, which I will get to), but sometimes the little things can really mean so much. After all, it was just one meal, but when I look back at times when I have felt most cared for, it’s when friends made and brought me food when I really needed it, like after having a baby.

In the grand scheme of things, this meal took just a little effort, but, being somewhat prone to kitchen mishaps, taking on the task of feeding another family in addition to my own (which is challenging enough!) is not something I really feel equipped to take on.

Why do I do it? Because meals have meant so much to me, I feel compelled to ‘pay it forward’ in the very same way. Food touches people deeply. It’s such a primal and fundamental need, and to have that need taken care of, even for just one meal, is such a blessing.

So, not letting on to this family that I don’t love to cook (though they read my columns so I guess the secret is out! I hope you liked your meal), I set to work and pulled it off with only minimal incident. I pulled up to their house at six p.m. that night with three dishes and they were so grateful.

I’m happy I could do that small gesture of caring for them. Most of us don’t realize what a difference we can make in the lives of others. I want to be more aware of opportunities I can take to show people that I care, and I hope you will, too.

Who needs matching dinnerware when friends are a perfect fit?

This summer we resumed our (once annual) ‘Summer Soiree’, deciding to hold it on the night of the Street Dance. This was perfect because we live downtown and this way our friends could stop by and hang out, and then walk over to the dance if they wanted to.


I wanted to make the party as earth friendly and lovely as possible, and to gather what we already had, which meant using real glasses, silverware, plates and napkins. I didn’t care if they were mismatched, actually I prefer it. Thanks to the wonders of facebook, I was united with card tables, chairs, glasses, and dozens and dozens of vintage 1950’s snack trays (thank you, Brenda, and I support you in your snack-tray-collecting compulsion, even though your family subjects you to endless teasing). I set up the tables with my vintage tablecloths, stocked the cooler with beer, and we were ready to go.

Our friends came and went and we savored delicious food, drink, conversation and music. It was fun to see everyone re-connecting with old friends and making new. As dark fell, the lights strung on the clothesline lit up the night and the hula hoops came out. I loved hooping with my friends and laughing as we showed our mad hooping skills. And I laughed watching my friend Kristin take ‘duck face’ pictures of some of the guests. If you don’t know what ‘duck face’ is, you’re missing out. Or maybe not. As storms started to blow in, we packed it in, sad it was over but grateful to have had a gorgeous summer evening in this place.

Babywearing Note: Noblesville resident Susan Graham of Spud and Sprout is offering readers a 10% discount in her etsy shop now through 9-30-10. Visit www.spudandsprout.etsy.com to see these lovely handcrafted ring slings.

Summer Memories Part One

I’m writing this in my living room at midnight. The house is blessedly quiet and moonbeams spill through the panes of glass in my front door like pools of liquid silver. It has been a beautiful summer weekend of making memories. Friday night the 23rd, we went to the Jack Johnson concert with my sister and brother in law, Katie and Abdon, an unexpected treat. We caught up a bit on each other’s lives as we carpooled in, and then each debated whether or not to shell out eight bucks for a beer, finally deciding ‘why not?’, noted the recycling bins (and by the way, I was very happy to see Jack Johnson’s efforts to make his concerts and tours minimally impact the environment) and we soaked up the atmosphere.

I promptly spilled almost a third of my $8 drink on myself and laughed at my clumsiness. The moon rose behind us as G-Love and Jack Johnson treated us to a perfect summer evening of music. A storm was coming in, and after the concert finished we made it back to the Jeep before the skies opened up. We were buoyant at our good fortune for not getting stuck out in it.

We also had a laugh on the drive home as I directed my brother in law to go south on a certain road to get to the road we needed to be on, nevermind the ‘Road Closed’ barricades. What could go wrong? It turned out that the road really was impassable, and we ended up turning around on dirt and backtracking. I don’t think they’ll take my directional advice again. Ahem.

I feel full to the brim with love and gratitude for all of the amazing people in my life. Thank you. Part 2 to come next time!