Food Memories : Gayle C.

We have a guest collaborator, Michelle Yi  a junior from Brandeis University studying International & Global Studies and Sociology .  Do you remember your favorite treat as a child? Michelle will be documenting the food memories from the guests at the Community Day Center.  Please enjoy hearing from Gayle.

September 19^th, 2012 - Gayle

On my first day volunteering at the Day Center, I met Gayle. She was wearing a black leather jacket and light-blue jeans. She had light blue-colored eyes. Her frame was quite slender, and had difficulty walking over to where Jackie and I were sitting. It seems like Gail and Jackie go way back.

“Stroganoff.” This is Gail’s favorite food. “Make sure to add a bit of sugar in it.” I wondered when she was last able to eat stroganoff, but I did not ask. It was difficult for her to even decide whether her stomach could handle a sandwich at the Day Center, but her hunger gave in. She ate the sandwich slowly as our conversation progressed.

I asked if she makes her own food. Unfortunately, she is living in a shelter, which does not provide a kitchen. She is currently trying to move apartments. Perhaps then, she can begin to cook for herself again and take control of her own diet.

After she served in the army, she attended a culinary school in Massachusetts. I asked her what the army food was like, and she looked at me with disgust. I assumed that she would rather forget what army food tasted like. Gayle was in the army for about 13 months, until her grandmother pulled her away. Gayle’s mother had signed her up to serve in the army and Gayle did not have a choice but to serve, since she was still underage and in the care of her parents.

Gayle’s grandfather used to call her “Little Ma” since the age of 2, since she took care of her thirteen siblings. At a young age, Gayle particularly loved food, cooking, and feeding those she loves. Although, many of the things she learned were not taught at school, but through her own experimentation with ingredients at home. For example: she enjoys eating Morel mushrooms as well, which are grown on dead elm trees. She explained that they could only be found for two days in 80-degree weather in May. Morel is very expensive and rare to find. They are delicious when eaten with a filet mignon and wild rice. She also recommends Ginseng, a nutritious root that is found mostly in Asia.

I asked her if she could recommend a particular recipe that can keep one healthy—particularly with vegetables. With a twinkle in her eye, she says, “I know the secret to getting kids to eat spinach.” I leaned in closer to listen. “First, get leaves and cauliflower…and roll it altogether into a string. Slice it, sauté it. Cut some garlic and make sure to take the stem out! Add a pinch of salt.” It was a great recipe both for her and her kids because it was “nice, easy, and not bitter.” She recommends that this dish should be eaten with black beans or white rice.

Gayle’s health has been deteriorating significantly in the last few years. She limps as she walks because of her foot problem. Fortunately, her foot is healing, but “in the wrong way,” which makes her son Michael concerned. She recalls the doctor telling her and her son that “she shouldn’t be alive,” given all the health problems that she is experiencing. They left enraged by the doctor’s insensitivity and saddened by the reality.

It was then that Jackie and Gayle had to leave. Before she left, she put her hand on my shoulder and said, “Maybe you can help someone someday,” and left me with my thoughts.