Maybe Abby has it right.

A year or two ago, I mentioned to friends that I was getting tired of using food as an event. It seemed that every time there was a special occasion, we would celebrate by eating something. The meal was usually dinner, and we were usually eating out at a nicer or unusual restaurant.

It’s not that the food wasn’t good, or the company wasn’t good, or the setting wasn’t good - What bothered me is that every time we were doing something, a big deal was made about food.

I think it’s weird that everyone eats, and we mark our festivities with feasts. Listen to that sound: “Feast” vs. “Festive”. Are these things supposed to be related?

The holidays become a dreaded affair with food. First comes Halloween, with all of the candy that Abby (and soon Riley) brings home, and the candy we have left over from feeding the neighbor kids. If we’re lucky all of the candy is gone before Thanksgiving, with its huge Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatos, and other starchy foods. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the onslaught of holiday cookies and other goodies. And by the time you work your way around to Christmas dinner and even New Year’s dinner, can you even fit any more?

But it’s not just those holidays that are cause for the food occasion. Birthdays are usually our ticket to the buffet line. It’s not just the dinner out, but cake and ice cream, too!

I’ve had special dinners for new jobs and promotions, pregnancy announcements, and all manner of other “special” occasions. Who has a Superbowl without some kind of meat and cheese tray or nachos? It’s just assumed that there will be food at these events.

What if we all went for a jog instead? “Hey, it’s your birthday! Let’s all go out for a jog!” Is that any more or less appropriate?