Starve A Cold, Feed A Funeral

I started writing this as a response to your well wishes in the comments section of yesterday's post, but decided I might just as well put it here. It's about food.

Smoked bacon, swiss chard, and onion quiche. Same as the little ones I made last Sunday.

I've always noticed how, in the US, when someone dies, there is all kinds of food. People bring the grieving family all manner of prepared dishes, an they're often home made. The food is for the family, of course, so they don't have to think about cooking or shopping during the hard first days after their loss. It helps the friends and other family members who provide the food feel like they're doing something helpful.

The food not only feeds the immediate family, but also the parade of mourners that stop by the house in those first few days.

The first thing I thought to do after hearing the shocking news that our friend had died was to make something to take to his companion. So I made a quiche on Friday morning and we took it and a baguette over to her at noon.

We've spent some time over there since Thursday, but so far I've seen no sign that this food-bringing is also a French custom. I guess I assumed that in a culture that emphasizes food as much as the French, I would see people bringing lots of food on their visits to the bereaved.

Maybe food will come after the funeral on Tuesday. I've seen that in French movies, at least.

It's weird to think of such things at a time like this, but as a foreigner I'm constantly observing, looking for clues about how to behave in every situation: what's expected, what not to say. Unfortunately, I won't be here for the services on Tuesday since I'm flying out that day to the US. I won't see first-hand how this all happens.

Ken will be here, however, and he plans to attend the funeral, so I'll get a full report.

I have noticed, however, that the wine, whiskey, and gin have been flowing quite freely. It calms the nerves. So I'm told.