Clara found herself standing in front of the fridge much longer than she intended because she couldn’t take her eyes off the eggs. You see, they weren’t just any raw eggs; they were hard-boiled, already peeled, and neatly arranged on the second shelf. They were simply covered with a plastic lid.
As a child, she always observed her mother handling food with great care. Her mother would check labels, look at expiration dates, sniff containers, and never allowed leftovers to linger in the kitchen for more than a day. Now, her mother-in-law had boiled the eggs just in case and stored them in the fridge for several days.
In fact, Ruth had a routine of preparing most meals ahead of time and keeping them in the fridge, which included soups, stews, a variety of cooked grains, and even fruits that she sliced and diced. And now, she had begun doing the same with the eggs.
Clara shut the fridge door and didn’t have the courage to eat those eggs. Yet, the image lingered in her mind throughout the day.
Later that afternoon, she went outside and spotted Ruth in the garden. Ruth was dressed in an old shirt and moving at a leisurely pace, as if there was no need to hurry. Clara observed her for a moment before inquiring about the eggs, making an effort not to upset her mother-in-law.
Ruth beamed and explained that she boiled them every few days. It was a time-saver, particularly in the mornings. If anyone felt hungry, they were readily available. There wasn’t much more to it than that.
That was it. No discussion about safety or guidelines, just a straightforward routine she found beneficial.
In the following days, Clara began to notice more closely, and she discovered that nothing in the fridge was placed there randomly. The containers were labeled with dates, and leftovers were rotated. Ruth managed the food well, employing a system that had evidently been effective for many years. Clara came to understand that her mother-in-law didn’t cook out of necessity but to prevent hunger from becoming a crisis.
Ruth had a different approach to food than what Claire was accustomed to. As a child, Claire believed that food had to be eaten immediately or it would be wasted. In contrast, Ruth’s kitchen had a more relaxed atmosphere regarding meals.
Without intending to, Clara began to adopt some of Ruth’s practices. She started washing vegetables as soon as she got home and would prepare a bit more rice than necessary. Instead of overwhelming herself with thoughts of multiple meals, she focused on planning just one at a time. While there weren’t any major changes, her evenings felt more leisurely than they had in the past.
One evening, while they were at the table peeling eggs for dinner, Clara and Ruth chatted about simple topics like the weather, errands, and mutual acquaintances.
Clara came to the conclusion that she no longer felt anxious. Not regarding the food, nor about approaching things in a way that was different from her usual habits. It wasn’t a matter of right or wrong. It was simply another method of navigating everyday life.
“I believe I get it now,” she remarked.
Ruth beamed. “It makes a difference,” she replied. “That’s all there is to it.”
Later, while she was putting the eggs back in the refrigerator, Clara reflected on that. They were merely eggs. And in a way, that was the essence of it.
