December 14th
Although these potatoes don’t look like much, this greasy (and yummy) Mormon specialty is the inspiration for my college essay. While I’m still considering where to go, the process of writing my essay helped me understand why I’ve turned out to be who I am.
Five years ago on December 14th our tiny town was shook beyond belief and left in total disrepair after 20 children and 6 educators were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary. The school, less than 1/4 of a mile from my front door, was right next to my brother’s preschool. After receiving the news, me and my mother went to pick him up. We weaved through the crowds of media and news trucks with only one goal in mind. Getting my brother.
As we approached the Preschool I could see the total devastation which had occurred. SWAT trucks, cop cars, fire engines surrounded the masses of sobbing parents and children who, thinking back, probably had no idea they were in the middle of the road. If they did they didn’t care.
We grabbed my little brother’s small body and strapped him into the stroller with his toy skateboard. My mom, who had remained strong up until this point broke down and sobbed harder than I had ever seen anyone sob before. Her tears dropped like Hail and her body refused to stop shaking. My brother, only 4 at the time, looked up at me with the teeth that were too small for his mouth and asked, “Izzy, what happened?” My mom looked at me and I could tell she couldn’t bring herself to answer the question. I unstrapped his buckle, picked his light frame up out of the stroller and held him tight. “There was an accident Jojo, everything will be alright.” I kissed his fuzzy head, saw my mom’s tears continue to fall and we started on our way back home.
The five stages of grief developed by Elizabeth Kubler Ross defines the stages all individuals go through when dealing with grief. The first is denial, followed by anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. In my minds eye, looking back on that day, I believe that the magnitude of this tragedy broke Elizabeth Kubler Ross’ theory. There was no Denial, no bargaining and certainly no acceptance. However there were two stages which we all did feel. Anger and depression.
What ran through our minds was not how we could take back what had happened but instead why it happened. Why would someone give a mentally ill man an automatic weapon. Why would someone feel the need to kill. Why would someone feel the need to kill 2 classes full of first graders and teachers. There were no answers to our questions. and all that we were left with was the empty and aching depression which radiated throughout our entire being.
My brother and I opened the door for my mom and stepped into our musty old house. Without words we began baking potatoes. We cried, and cooked and cried some more until our house was full of friends in search of food and comfort, our oven was full of the bubbling comfort potatoes and although part of our hearts still remain empty, on that night we were in each others company, licking each others wounds and acting as a community should.
Looking back on this day, I can’t help but wonder how might our lives have been different if we hadn’t be affected by this terrible tragedy. Would we all be as close? Would we remain strangers within the community? There is one thing for certain however, this event has taught not only myself but the entire community that we should always live our lives filled with kindness and compassion. That we should always look out for our neighbors and to always be there for each other in times of need. This event taught me my love for nurturing, for caring and for cooking. I have founds ways to comfort myself while also comforting others by the means of food. It has drastically shaped my life and although it was a rocky road getting here, I’m glad that I could take this tragedy and turn it into something beautiful.
As you make these potatoes please remember the 26 lives lost in Sandy Hook. Remember to always be kind and compassionate to everyone you meet. As you eat these potatoes with those you love I hope they bring you comfort and love just as they did on 12/14 and continue to today.
Comfort potatoes
Ingredients
- 10 large potatoes
- 1 large onion pulsed in the food processor
- 2 1/2 sticks of butter
- 1 container sour cream
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- Parsley
- Salt and pepper
- Corn flakes for topping
Directions
- Boil potatoes until tender. let cool.
- Pulse 1 large onion in food processor and saute with 1 stick of butter until translucent.
- Grate potatoes into baking dish and mix with the rest of the butter.
- After the butter is melted mix in the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup cheese and salt and pepper and parsley.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the pan and top with corn flakes.
- Bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes.
COMFORT POTATOES
