"So . . . why are you doing this?"
Hmm, good question, hunh. Why?
"It's the busiest time of the year, You're already working a full time "real" job, and you're starting a radio show on the internet. Do you know anything about that sort of thing?"
Well, no . . . not really. But I think it's a great idea.
That's it, isn't it. Another great idea. Now what? I immediately started thinking about the things I love - you know the "work your passion" sort of thing. I figured it's the best place to start trying to come up with a program that at least I would listen to, even if nobody else clicked-in.
Well, what do I love?
Hmm, food. And, I love talking about food. But could that be the basis of a call-in talk show . . . on the RADIO?
Probably.
Sure.
Well, what the heck. Why not?
After a little thought (more like three days), I began to wonder where this love for food came from. And the truth is, it's more about what the food represents in the lives of the people around me than it is the actual preparation and chowing-down.
It represents provision, and compassion, and love. And, yes, comfort.
For some strange reason, I recalled the CEO of a company I worked for many years ago. The man was over sixty years old and had married a young woman in her late 20's. Well, as you can imagine, there was plenty of gossip going around about that relationship. Then finally, one day I happened to be walking by his massive private office overlooking the Potomac with this gorgeous Washington, DC skyline. He invited me in and pointed out the many landmarks and his favorite places to take clients for business meetings over lunch.
The phone rang, and it was his young bride. He permitted me to stay in the room and he put the call on speakerphone. After the first few moments of "Hello, it's just me calling again" while he paced around the room, I just waited and watched him. You know, that executive stroll that went from one corner of the desk to the other. Finally, she asked, "What did you eat today?" With that, he stopped, sat down behind his desk, leaned over the phone and began.
"Coffee. Raisin bagel. No, no, I remembered, decaf. Just a half cup. Yeah, the bagel was okay. But I like the onion better. I really wanted a croissant from Tivoli. Yeah, I know, but they didn't have the bran muffins today. I'll have a salad later. Maybe with chicken or the tuna. I like the tuna. What are we having for dinner tonight?"
So it went...on and on. And I thought, she cares. He cares. It works for them. And the room felt a little less executive and a lot more like home.
He didn't even notice when I slipped out of the side door and went back to my office. I called my Mom who lived 369 miles away. I wished I could be there.
"Hi, it's me. What you doing? Yeah, good. Did you eat?"
~ ~ ~
