Christine Mabon - Comfort Food: Amazing Friends and the Everyday Stories That Happen Around Food

Praise for
The Five Essential Friendships Program:

The Five Essential Friendships program evolved from the relationships and experiences contained within this book.

Dear Christine,

I was at the DKG convention and I heard your keynote address. It was a very powerful message and I am sure you realized that you had the audience in the palm of your hand. There was not a sound in the room when you were speaking about your personal story. I believe your story struck a cord with everyone in the room. Thank you for speaking at the convention. I believe your message reached everyone in the room. Our group from Alpha Phi thought you did an excellent job.

Sincerely,

Mary Anne Battaglia, Alpha Phi President

It was a joy having Christine Mabon speak at our library fundraiser.

Chriss presentation called The Five Essential Friendships that Enrich Our Lives was uplifting, and a valuable reminder on why we should nurture the bonds we have with different types of friends.

Chris is a warm and friendly person. She made it a point to talk with individuals as they came into the meeting room and I heard

people sharing their thoughts and stories with her after her presentation was over. The attendees had many positive comments as they were leaving and several asked, When can you do something like this again?

Robin Altman , Kittanning Public Library

Chris Mabon spoke at our library two times, presenting her Five Essential Friendships program, and most recently, 101 Ways to Nurture Yourself . Chris presents her material in such a pleasant way, you feel like she is speaking to you. Both of her presentations were very enjoyable, and the attendees provided positive feedback after the programs. Chris is friendly, and very easy to work with when planning a speaking event. I highly recommend both of her programs.

Noreen McBride , East Palestine Memorial Public Library

We were delighted to have Christine as our keynote speaker. The sincerity of her story touched our hearts. Our group of women, of all ages, were uplifted by treasuring our friendships.

Jane Hecht , Stow Christian Women, Stow, Ohio

I first met Chris Mabon when, one day, she stopped into our library on her way through town. She introduced herself and we talked about her books, her life, and her work. Chriss passion for her work was infectious and I knew I wanted her to come and do a presentation for our library. Since our town hosts a yearly Girl Friends Weekend, we decided to plan around this event.

We had an attendance of 12 women, which for our small town, was quite good. The theme, The Five Essential Friendships , became a time of intimate sharing by our small group. We laughed and shared stories of how our friendships came to be and what they have become. And at some point, we shared the sadnesss too. Together with Chris, we explored the emotional and spiritual needs that our friendships serve.

Often, since Chriss visit, I find myself thinking of my own friendships in the light of her Five Essential talk. And because of her talk, I have a new sense of value, of appreciation, and of purpose that I can more readily identify in my friendships and I am grateful.

Sarah Drennan , Director, Morgan County Public Library

Christine Mabon was a welcome speaker to our Womens Breakfast Program at Friendship Village of South Hills. She was well prepared, natural and spoke from her heart. Her development of her topic is intriguing and reminds us of the really important things in life. She was a delight and made me think of the utter importance of friends and how to think about them and to nurture them. I recommend her presentation without hesitation.

Jeanie Snodgrass , Friendship Village of South Hills

Years ago my best friend and I struggled in a major downpour to get to the library to hear Christine Mabons talk on friendships. Her message has stayed with me ever since! What a simple yet unique way of reflecting upon our cherished friends, old and new, near and far, what they mean to us, and how theyve helped shape us. Like a moth to a flame, Christine encourages us to think and reflect in a very insightful, positive way. Her monthly Newsletter is just the pick-me-up I need, and I feel so blessed we made that effort to meet her!

Jan Roslund , Murrysville, PA

Love your newsletter!

You have found many delightful tidbits to brighten my day. The pictures and poems/thoughts are great. Thanks!

Kay

Chris presented the keynote speech at our Womens Business Network annual retreat; and it more than fulfilled our expectations. I highly recommend her to any group that desires a speaker who delivers with intelligence, polish, grace, and humor.

Kate Thompson , Licensed Professional Counselor

Hi Chris,

I thoroughly enjoy the monthly newsletters. They are fun, enjoyable and even educational!

Shirley

Dear Chris,

I first want you to know how much I appreciated your presentation at Southminster Church this morning. You are not only beautiful in face and form but in intellect and spirit. I am so proud to have you as a sister-friend.

Love, Gwen

Copyright 2019

ISBN 978-1-73383-080-5 (softcover)
ISBN 978-1-73383-081-2 (eBook)

I have recreated events, locales and conversations from my memories of them. In order to maintain their anonymity in some instances I have changed the names of individuals, places, and some identifying characteristics and details such as physical properties, occupations and places of residence.

Contents

Acknowledgements

T he opportunity to share the stories of friendship contained within this book is possible because of the support, encouragement, dedication and talents of many people. I must start by thanking my friends who are the inspiration behind Comfort Food . Words are insufficient to express the depth of gratitude for the amazing friends who brought encouragement, vitality, an anchor in times of uncertainty, wisdom and fun times into my life. Thank you for opening my eyes to a deeper understanding of friendships, relationships, and the intimate ways food connects and comforts us all.

Thank you to the talented artist, Casey E. Jackson, for her beautiful illustrations. Thank you to Kathleen Kenna for her wonderful work editing the manuscript.

Thank you to my family members and to my siblings for being my first friends.

Thank you to the libraries, book clubs, churches and organizations who have been supportive of my books and programs.

I am especially grateful to Mrs. Gladys Edmunds for sharing her extraordinary talents, deeply rooted wisdom, constant encouragement, boundless enthusiasm and endless patience in the process of creating this book. Thank you, Gladys for showing me the way to be better, know better, do better and have better than I thought possible.

For Andrew and Connor

Introduction

I n 2006, my husband died of a sudden heart attack on one of the most celebrated days of the year; Christmas Eve. He was 44 years old, still a young and vibrant man; a great father and husband. The shock was devastating, and it felt like my life was over. Little did I know what felt like the end of my story turned into a new beginning. This tragic event set my life in a new direction. It was uncomfortable and frightening, but it brought to light the way I saw myself and the way I handled my life.

In my marriage, I had devoted all of my time to taking care of the house, my husband, and our two sons. I gave little thought to hanging out with girlfriends or cultivating friendships; leaving me without a feeling of being connected to someone else and alone in this world. I had spent so much time perfecting being a wife and mother that I didnt know who I was outside of it.