Don't Miss Out, Nourish

You might have mistook the Anderson's family home as a homestead what with the stunning natural beauty of the Little Belt Mountains clearly visible all around. Their home was, however, only one of many in Great Falls, Montana, a city too big to be a town. On this sunny summer day, the cool breeze had brought in a guest from the Far North.

With the day's regular business concluded late in the morning, Mr. Ronald Anderson invited one of the Canadian businessmen from the trade delegation, Jack, to his extended family's home in Gibson Flats, on the outskirts of town. Jack accepted without needing the offer that immediately followed of a home-cooked meal with the Anderson family.

The scene was nothing short of bountiful. It was outdoors in the yard next to an open building where a couple tables were lined up in a row that were then topped with an array of food. Chairs provided everyone, both young and old, a place at the table. Those seated included Great Uncle Joe and Great Auntie April - the last surviving members of that generation. Of course there was Mr. Anderson, Ronald, at the head of the table. Mrs. Anderson was seated on one side of the table and to her left sat her sixteen-year-old daughter. Ronald's brother and his wife were also present and sat across from Mrs. Anderson. The remaining chairs were filled with children, some around five, others, who happened to be in-town then, were as old as twenty-two. Jack sat a little further down from Mrs. Anderson's left.

With the meal in mid-swing, Jack was asked, "How do others view America?"

Jack raised an eyebrow and sat upright and a little back in his chair. The day had been based on nothing but warmth and honesty and he was not about to break that mould. "Americans are a solid people, no doubt. Then there is their portrayal, of themselves and by others. Now before I state what those portrayals are to those who have never been to the US or interacted much with any American, I must caution that it may test the sensitivities of some here, two in particular," he motioned with his head toward Mrs. Anderson and the preteen sitting to her right. "What might you need to center yourselves?"

"Hang on then," said Mrs. Anderson, who knew right away. "Let me get my rosary."

As she dashed, Ronald asked what that was about.

"Oh nothing to worry about," affirmed Jack. "They are observations on a deeper yet general level of how Americans are portrayed in various forms of media around the world. Those observations are highly general and yet try to explain to others what's deep down - and they miss the mark - which may potentially be alarming or worrisome to some."

Everyone took a few bites before Mrs. Anderson dashed back to her seat. She hadn't been gone a full minute, "Which means she probably has several throughout the house," Jack thought to himself.

"Ready," she said.

"Ok. Imagine America in your minds, but keep your eyes open." Jack paused before continuing, "Now, remove all of this from the definition of America." Jack motioned to the whole table. "Not the bounty or the effort it took to make it, but the attitude, care, and consideration you all have that created all of this in the welcoming way you did for a lonely, hungry stranger.

"Imagine America out in the world without that. That's what others are given to see."

Ronald's twelve-year-old nephew sitting somewhere on Jack's left piped up, "There must be something of it out there, some percent...." His voice trailed off in doubt.

Jack replied, "Zero, nothing. I mean there is positive stuff, but it's void of...this." Again he motioned briefly.

A pause ensued and Jack did not interrupt it until he sensed that others at the table wanted to say something just to break the silence. "I see Ronald, that you are head of this family, so I defer to your good judgment regarding the needs of your family. I realize that in...imparting that observation that my welcome here may have worn, either to give you a moment or...more indefinitely."

He paused and he could tell they appreciated being given a moment at least to recompose themselves.

Jack continued after a brief moment sensing the need for only a moment, "I will say something that, in Canada anyway, men can say that is juuuuuuust within social tolerance in moments like this. In my experience to-date, corn bread made outside of the US only hits one or two notes at best. The corn bread you have served is unlike any I have ever tasted with a texture that actually manages to hit every note. My I have a piece or two for the road, if my welcome has been worn?"

Ronald's young daughter was delighted at the thought and wanted Jack, who had been delightful all afternoon as far as she was concerned, to have more corn bread and reached out for the dish.

"No," said Ronald. Mrs. Anderson comforted her daughter by putting her hand on her arm.

Their daughter looked confused and asked, "Why?"

After another brief pause, Jack said, "I think the final decision is still being made and offering it to me just then would have imposed the meaning of a worn welcome, regardless of your intention."

Mrs. Anderson rubbed her daughter's arm supportively, affirming what her father and Jack had so far said. Ronald looked at Mrs. Anderson in a certain way.

"Well," said Mrs. Anderson, "We have a lot to pray on."

Suddenly, the loud chewing sounds of the young boy, Tommy, sitting next to Jack was plainly audible to all. "That's pretty good, eh?" asked Jack.

One of the girls at the far end of the table whispered to her cousin of the same age, "He said 'eh', like a real Canadian." No one else heard the words, but they all knew what had been said.

"Your welcome's not worn," Ronald confirmed. Mrs. Anderson smiled at Jack in acknowledgement.

In typical teenage defiance, what with not being able to pass the bread when she felt the need to, Ronald's daughter was moved to ask Jack about freedom and liberty.

Jack thanked Mr. and Mrs. Anderson before warning the heady teen, "Equating freedom with liberty is dangerous and I say that as a Canadian who is pro-democracy. There is a difference between those two words and believing otherwise is something I have seen tyrants do."

"That's pretty bold," said Ronald's brother.

"Again, it's my pro-democracy bias speaking when I say that I am sure your founding fathers had a lot to say on the matter. I would encourage you," he motioned to Ronald's daughter, "To explore those two words as I believe they will make you a better patriot, in this case, a better American." Jack's eyes invited response and confirmation from around the table, which soon followed.

A little later in the conversation, Jack was asked what could be done to alter the portrayal of a fuller American persona, to which he replied, "The 'what' can be noticed by anyone, which is why I find it wasy to make friends with Americans like yourself. The 'how' is all about being, which is your job - not for me to say."

Later that evening, Jack suited up for his departure by the front door in a rather large foyer. Mrs. Anderson and her daughter presented Jack with a nice bag that was far from empty. Jack looked and said, "Could this be?" He took a peek inside, "It is, thank you for the corn bread! There is quite a lot."

"Yes there is," said Ronald without missing a beat and folding his arms across his chest.

Jack saw the children returning after Great Aunt April had taken them to the bathroom to wash up after dinner. Jack bent down as Tommy approached for a good-bye hug, when Jack asked, "Tommy, have you washed your hands?"

"Yes." He waved them at Jack, as if for casual inspection.

"Perfect," said Jack. "Would you do me a quick favor and bring me a small plate."

Tommy smiled, dashed into the kitchen, and was back in a flash before any of the adults knew what was up.

"Great, here, reach in and put two pieces on the plate and then give it to your mom."

"My mom?"

"Me?" asked Mrs. Anderson.

"Of course," Jack replied. "You will need them to take care of your husband." Upon hearing these words, Ronald unfolded his arms and the rest of his demeanour changed. "Just look at how his whole demeanour has changed at the possibility of having some later! I am certain that you offering that to him would be nothing short of an act of love towards him on your part."

Mrs. Anderson smiled radiantly.

To become notified when I publish other inspiring article, subscribe for free below Alternatively, you can bookmark this page that contains a list of all my articles I publish on Vocal Media.