Delicious Prayers

The framed front page of the New York Times from September 12, 2001, complete with screaming headlines and photos of burning buildings, that formerly loomed over this table in the restaurant is gone, replaced with an innocuous ad for beer. 

Katie and I devour tacos on homemade tortillas, with fragrant red-tinted rice, and pinto beans swimming in savory, thick broth heaped on paper plates. We eat peacefully, without saying much until finally, plate empty, stomach and heart full, I speak up.

“I don’t know how to say this without sounding stupid,” I say, “but eating a well cooked meal is like someone praying through you."