Yesterday, at my husband’s family gathering, I quickly realized there wasn’t a single dish I could eat. I whispered to my husband that I was starving, and he gently said, “I’ll eat quickly, then we’ll head out.” I tried to stay calm, even though I felt a bit left out. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves while I sat quietly. I didn’t want to make a scene, but the hunger was hard to ignore.
A little later, his aunt noticed me and kindly offered a burger. I smiled politely and reminded her, “Oh, I don’t eat meat.” She suddenly froze, as though she had just remembered something important. After a long pause, she admitted, “We thought it was just a passing phase.” Her honesty surprised me, but it explained why no one had prepared anything for me.
At first, I felt a small sting in my heart, but then I realized this wasn’t done to hurt me. It was more about a simple misunderstanding within the family. I explained to them why my choice mattered, and how easy it could be to include even one plant-based dish. As I spoke, they listened with genuine interest. Slowly, the air in the room shifted from awkward to warm.
