Comfort and

I bought a toaster this week.

Hardly a monumental decision, either financially or emotionally.

When I left my home of 57 years and moved to a different state, I left many things behind, including a part of my heart.

It was a good and necessary decision. One that I have never for a second regretted. Life must move forward., I learned that difficult lesson when my beloved said goodbye thirteen years ago.

However, I made a few mistakes when I bade the white house on the corner goodbye. I packed a few things I have no need for, and foolishly discarded some that definitely should have accompanied me.

I believed I would no longer need a toaster. After all, how much toast does one person consume, and my new residence had a fine restaurant, pub and also room service.

The dependable Cusinart remained behind when I locked the black door for the final time.

That was four years ago, and I have not been desolate without toast,. To be absolutely honest, I hadn’t thought about it until Covid and quarantine changed both America and my world.

The comforting words of my Mother, “Have tea and toast, and you will feel better,” seemed to echo several times in my ears. When it is a rainy afternoon, and I weary of TV, Ipad and even my Kindle library, I seem to think about tea and toast. Perhaps with just a smitch of raspberry preserves.

So I googled toasters and voila, discovered there are several available. All had the exact dimensions necessary for my efficient, but limited counter space. Surprisingly, all were quite reasonable in price and immediately, I placed an order.

Yesterday, it arrived. Suddenly, I realized I needed the comfort of warm toasted bread slathered with just a bit of melted butter and a tiny bit of raspberry preserves. Quickly, I microwaved a cup of tea. Then the sun seemed to emerge from the clouds as I enjoyed the comfort of tea and toast, but also, my Mother’s advice.