The Things We Do For Love

Food symbolizes love and solace. The connection between comfort and food is established early. After Angie’s divorce is finalized, her mother and sisters arrive with nourishment, and Mira explains, “You know food eases every trouble” (15). The emphasis on “know” suggests this is a common mantra in the DeSaria house. Angie’s reaction vindicates Mira’s words: “Angie found herself smiling. How many times in her life had she come home from school, devastated by some social slight, only to hear Mama say, Eat something. You’ll feel better” (15). Angie’s memory highlights the link between food and love; it is how the DeSarias handle their problems and sorrows, and that thought alone brings a smile to her face. 

By extension, Maria DeSaria’s kitchen offers the same solace as food itself. Angie notes that “no matter how old she got or what direction her life took, this would always be home. In Mama’s kitchen, you were safe and warm and well loved” (7). Comfort and love thus permeate not only the consumption of food, but the social preparation of it as well. Lauren feels this every time she visits on a holiday and is swept into the chaos of the kitchen; in fact, this is often where she feels most at home, underscoring that food is love in the DeSaria family.