The Parmesan Principle

I can't tell you how many times Carole would call me at work and ask, "What do you want for dinner?" My response, "I don't know. What do you want?" Her response, "I don't know either. That's why I'm calling you."  On and on it went. You may have similar conversations like this too. Well, now since Carole's passing, I'm having this conversation with a 13 year old. Sometimes I'm having the conversation with myself. It's interesting to say the least.

Carole and I both enjoyed cooking with one another. I grew up around food. My parents owned a small cafe so it's in my blood - so to speak. Her mom was a really good cook and Carole followed in her footsteps. Some of my most special memories are of Carole and me in the kitchen together. Although we enjoyed cooking we didn't splurge a lot on the finer ingredients. On occasion I would, but that was few and far between. For instance, I never could bring myself to pay $5 for a small wedge of parmesan cheese. I'd settle for the prepackaged grated cheese. 

Well, that all changed two months ago. Feeling a little restless one day, I went through the fridge and pantry and just started throwing things away. I reorganized the kitchen and made a decision that we were going to eat healthier. We weren't eating unhealthy before per se, but I thought we could do better. So, I began buying fresher ingredients and trying new things in the kitchen.

One day my daughter found an avocado carbonara recipe on Tasty and wanted to try it. After giving the ingredients list a quick look over, I decided that if we were going to make this, then we were going to make it right even it meant buying the $5 wedge of parmesan cheese. Let me just say that after buying the fresh parmesan, I will never go back to the "dark side". 

Folks, time is short. You and I don't know our last day. James 4:14 tells us this. "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." Did you catch that? A vapor

So, what is the Parmesan Principle? Simple. It's my way of saying don't skimp on life.

Enjoy life. Enjoy your family. Sit around the fire pit with a friend, get lost in a conversation, and gaze at the night sky. Buy the $5 wedge of parmesan cheese. Take the trip. Eat ice cream for dinner. Do something different. Take the risk. Laugh. Cry. Love. Serve. Care.