Life Lessons over Lunch: A first sit-down restaurant an what happened next!
What happens when a small-town girl becomes a college Freshman with ambitions? This episode is one every parent, and Freshman will learn from!
In this episode of Family Tree Food and Stories, join co-host Sylvia Lovely as she recounts a pivotal moment in her life that intertwines ambition, family expectations, and an unforgettable dining experience. Raised in a humble background where college wasn't even on the radar, Sylvia's sudden declaration to pursue higher education led her to Moorhead State University. However, a seemingly simple luncheon turns into a memorable lesson in social graces when Sylvia encounters a dining dilemma that leaves everyone at the table in silent amusement. Discover how this hilarious and heartwarming story of a girl navigating her way through new experiences highlights the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone. Listen in to discover how a waitress's mentioned menu option becomes a cherished memory, reflecting the universal power of food to connect us all.
Key Learning Points:
- Overcoming familial and societal expectations and pursuit of higher education.
- The humorous side of navigating new social situations.
- The cultural significance of food in shaping and recalling personal memories.
- The power of stepping out of one's comfort zone to grow and learn.
- The importance of supportive communities in personal development.
Family Tree Food & Stories 🎙️🍲❤️ is a heartwarming podcast that dives into the profound connections we have with food, family, and those treasured memories. Each episode shares the personal stories of recipes, traditions, and stories created just last week or passed down through generations. You'll laugh 😂, cry 😢, and crave more delicious moments 😋 as your hosts, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, celebrate the power of food and moments that shape our identities and strengthen our bonds with family and friends. Join us every week for uplifting tales that will leave you hungry for more of what happens next. Pull up a chair and enjoy the journey! 🍽️👨👩👧👦✨
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. Sylvia Lovely: Hello, I'm Sylvia Lovely along with Nancy May, co hosts
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of Family Tree Food and Stories.
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College was not in my life master plan.
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My parents, born to poverty in the hills of eastern Kentucky, did
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not even finish high school, much less give a thought to college.
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I was raised in Dayton, Ohio, where my parents headed for opportunity
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and good paying factory jobs.
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But one desire, their holy grail, Was making sure their
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children got a good education.
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Obligingly, I did very well in school.
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I remember making a casual but fateful announcement as a senior in high school.
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Mom, I said one day out of the blue, I want to go to college.
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She stopped what she was doing.
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A look on her face halfway between the terror of seeing a ghost and the
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elation of having her favorite movie star appear in the flesh before her.
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Finally, the movie star won out.
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Well, this is great news, she gushed.
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She didn't stop there.
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You can go to Wright State University and live at home.
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Wright State?
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At home?
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It reverberated in my head.
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It was two subdivisions away from our house, practically in the backyard.
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Out of nowhere, my mouth blurted, No, I need to leave home.
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My gosh, where did that come from?
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I asked myself.
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In my parents world, kids weren't supposed to leave home, ever.
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My parents already did that once, and were not inclined to let it
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happen on their parental watch.
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the world outside was just too big and scary, and I had been pretty sheltered.
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My mother began to wail and sob.
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I came close to giving in when suddenly she stopped.
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I held my breath.
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The End You were right.
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You need to leave, but, she added suddenly in a stern voice, you can
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only go to Moorhead State University.
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Well, I knew that MSU was close to where my parents were born
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and grew up, and no matter their tough upbringing, it was home.
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Realizing I should take while the taking was good, I offered a hearty
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head shake and declared that to be the perfect choice, as if I had any other.
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She got the last word with, In a way, you will still be home.
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So what does that story of a young girl determined to find her
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own path but with limited social graces have to do with food?
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Well, doesn't everything end up in a story about food?
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Well, here's mine.
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I was doing well and in the middle of my first semester at Moorhead when
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I was invited to a luncheon with a handful of professors and classmates
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at a local sit down restaurant to discuss scholarship opportunities.
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I was nervous.
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This was a big deal.
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And these were the most important people who had ever invited me to anything.
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However, I had never eaten at a sit down restaurant before.
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My father would have declared such activity as unnecessary frivolity.
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I carefully analyzed the situation.
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Step 1.
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The server delivered water and bread to the table.
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Okay, so far.
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Step 2.
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Order from the menu.
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I ordered a cheeseburger, a safe choice.
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And with newfound confidence, I got this.
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And then, a step three I never imagined.
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Miss, she offered.
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Would you like soup or salad as a side?
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At least I thought I knew what she said.
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I had only seconds.
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I'll have that soup or salad, I proclaimed proudly.
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The table grew silent as one dear soul leaned over to explain.
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After that bout of embarrassment, I recovered and enjoyed my
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college experience and did well.
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Morehead State University, I later learned, specializes on growing
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turnips that fall off trucks and somehow turning sow's ears into purses.
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Today, my memories are with fondness and good humor.
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Through the power of food, we tap into the most natural thing we all do.
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Eat and realize that food lies at the heart of most of our stories.
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Close your eyes.
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Think back of your own food stories.
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I promise they will lead to a myriad of memories.
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Write them down, and better yet, share them with us.
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Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, co hosts of Family Tree Food and Stories.
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We look forward to joining your family with ours as we unite around the memories
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of food, recipes, kitchens, gatherings, laughter, mishaps, and yes, moments
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of embarrassment, and ultimately, joy.
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