One of the coolest things I recall when working for Redding Police was an event where our volunteers and some staff were invited to a large lunch at a care facility. I was seated at a large round table with people I knew but one very charming lady who sat next to me I did not know. She had made previous plans with the kitchen to bring her a plate with salad only. When that arrived, she quietly removed a few things from her large purse and placed them on the plate. She told me that she has issues with some foods and always brings what she can eat so as not to put pressure on the kitchen staff. I thought that was very cool and have never forgotten it.
When our eight-year-old granddaughter announced she would no longer eat meat, red sauce on pasta, and any meat broth, plus her mom did not eat meat, I became terrified about how to please them when they visited. As time went on, the daughter learned other things she would not eat because they were animal products. Gene finally stepped in, took the mom aside, and suggested she bring what her daughter would eat. I learned to simply have more veggies, salad, peanut butter, and homemade strawberry jam on hand.
I also have a family member who is a picky eater due to worries about where the food comes from, whether is it organic, or was it grown properly...was invited to a Thanksgiving dinner. When she told the hostess what she could not eat, the poor lady turned and said, please do not come if you cannot eat most of what I am preparing. I understand if one has a food allergy, but phobias can be worked out by simply not eating the food rather than telling the hostess about it. Offer to bring something you can eat and be quiet about it.
I recently learned that a family member and all her sisters are not eating meat or anything that comes from an animal. It is terrifying to me to try and accommodate all that. I guess being 84 years old is part of it, maybe if I was younger I would be more tolerant. I'll shut up now!
