It’s been over a year now

that we have been living between spaces

in the spaces of the pandemic.

Too many Zoom meetings,

at first a blessing, a way to connect,

more recently a curse, 

living too much of our time

glued to an electronic box.

How do we nurture ourselves back to life?

Last night was the first night of Passover.

An abbreviated, lonely Seder for us.

Although, if I’m honest, a lot less work.

I did make a pot of chicken soup. 

My husband, who’s on Zoom all day and many nights,

needed it more than a brisket

or a crappy casserole.

That’s what I’ve pared it down to:

Soup.

It’s how I nurture myself 

and the people I love.

Making soup is also a good writing ritual,

It brews and something gets

stirred up.

You care for the body,

and it feeds the mind.

I buy an organic chicken and 

boil it for four hours,

adding vegetables last

so they are still crisp and fresh.

I wish I could feed you all

a pot of soup.

Last year, we held the first

Chicken Soup Retreat

at Sol Healing and Wellness

in Austin.

This year, the event will have to be virtual,

although it means more folks can attend.

I’ll share my recipe, 

but you’ll have to make your own soup. 

I’ve rescheduled the retreat for May 8th,

one day before Mother’s Day.

It will be a day of taking care,

of nourishing the writer within.

Details here.

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