Chicken Salad

Death, dying, getting old--it's all about Chicken Salad.

I've decided to "cook" at home more, instead of going out to eat so often. Leftovers are nice, but revamping them is even better. Today I decided to make Chicken Salad out of the leftover grilled chicken. While making that chicken salad I got to thinking...no one under the age of 30, and often times 40, really likes Chicken Salad. Really--they don't. I didn't. Chicken Salad is for "old people". Why is that? Why is Chicken Salad something that every old person I know likes?

While I was making Chicken Salad today, something really odd happened...I started getting calls about people dying. No kidding. One of my oldest friends emailed to say she was on her way here from Atlanta--her father-in-law had passed away yesterday; a friend here in town called--her mother-in-law passed away this morning; I got a facebook message--our neighbor from our old neighborhood died today. All the while, I'm making "old people" Chicken Salad.

I was only a somewhat removed acquaintance of one of these people, but I know some of all their families or friends. I know a little about their lives. I know they meant a lot to a lot of people. But I don't know what all of them liked, disliked--but I bet they liked Chicken Salad. Making my Chicken Salad took on a whole new meaning. It became a tribute of sorts. A tribute to families who had lost someone they love, a tribute to a life well-lived, a tribute to a person who would be the missing link now in many circles...my Chicken Salad became something special. Something more than just "something old people eat".

It became somewhat of a comfort food, while still being a sad reminder of getting old. It became a reminder that I'd better make the best Chicken Salad I could, cause tomorrow I may not be able to make it better. It became a reminder that I should share that Chicken Salad with someone...anyone, because other people are the greatest gifts we have and sharing with others is the greatest gift we can give. It became something that I should appreciate and enjoy to the fullest, as I should each and every day of life.

While I'm sure this is an odd correlation, I don't think I'll ever look at (or eat!) Chicken Salad the same way again. I think I'll order it proudly...and often. I'll eat it with vim and vigor. And I'll remember all those "old people" had wonderful lives with wonderful people, were greatly loved, loved greatly and probably liked Chicken Salad.