How to Build Community, 101.

During the time my husband has been looking for work, I have been struck repeatedly by how kind our little community is here.  At first, I would lie awake in bed at night and think about how I could never, as long as I lived be able to repay everyone's kindness.  I felt unworthy of it.  I felt ashamed, and most of all, every time I saw someone who needed help, I hated that I wasn't able to help them.

For years and years and years, I helped every person that I could, even though we have never had tons of money.  We've had some leaner years and some fatter years, but we were never in a place where we didn't have to pay attention.  But I made meals for friends when I could, volunteered often, showed up for people whenever I had the opportunity.  I have forever and always told the kids that some people have time and some people have money, and organizations that need support need both.  I have told them over and over that one contribution is not more valuable than the other, as long as you bring what you have to the table.

It took a conversation with a friend to make something click.  She said "It's not that you need to pay it forward, it's that people are now taking the chance to pay it back.  You have spent years investing in people, and now they get to invest in you."

Now you might be sitting there asking yourself, what does this have to do with baking?

It's simple.  And maybe I've been fortunate that I had to find other ways to support my friends than monetarily.  But to me, a warm loaf of bread, a thick slice of cake or a plate of fresh cookies says "I love you, I see you, and I want to make your day a little bit better."

So send the bread.  Share the cake.  Spread love and joy wherever you go.  You never know how you're changing someone's day when you do.