The Winter Melon Soup

I am blessed to still have my parents around.

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A Winter Melon

Amidst the whirlwind of travel and the rollercoaster ride of stock market volatility, I've found myself with little time to ponder this week. But I figure it's more than okay to take a break from the noise of politics and global affairs. Instead, let's take a moment to appreciate people and things that are truly important and close to our hearts.

I recently had the chance to spend some quality time with my parents. It was a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Weeks before my arrival, my parents were buzzing with excitement, asking me what food they should prepare for me. They’ve asked me the same question every time before my visit. No matter how old I am, my parents still treat me like their little girl. They love to spoil me whenever they can.

My parents are both in their 80s, and they are moving slower than they used to be. Since they don’t have a car and have to take the bus to the nearby farmer’s market to buy groceries, I never want them to go out of their way to get something special for me. Therefore, my typical answer has always been that whatever groceries they already had at the time would be fine, and I didn’t have cravings for anything particular.

I know it is an unsatisfactory answer for them and they will always end up choosing what they think is the best food to feed me. Based on past experiences, the first meal upon my arrival usually consisted of some of my favorite foods from childhood, a comforting taste of nostalgia, and something they believe is good for my health.

Traditional Chinese culture always emphasizes eating foods that provide nutrition and health benefits, something my mom says is far better to absorb from food than to take medicine.