For me, it's the ultimate to be able to nurture and nourish

In the words of Lidia Bastianich, we hear a profound and ancient truth: “For me, it's the ultimate to be able to nurture and nourish someone. They trust you. It's a basic form of intimacy in a community.” These words speak not merely of food, but of a deeper, sacred act—nurturing another soul. To nourish is to offer not just sustenance, but care, trust, and a piece of oneself. In every act of feeding, whether with a meal or a kind word, there is an exchange of intimacy and vulnerability. The act of nurturing is not simply practical; it is deeply spiritual, binding one person to another in an unspoken pact of care and responsibility.

The ancients understood that to nourish another was a profound form of intimacy. In the Greek tradition, hospitality was a sacred duty, seen not just as the offering of food, but as the sharing of one's very essence. When Xenia, the ancient Greek code of hospitality, was enacted, the stranger was not merely a guest; they were a sacred trust, a bond between host and guest that went beyond the table and into the heart. It is this same trust that Lidia Bastianich speaks of—the act of opening oneself to another through the very act of feeding, of sharing something vital.

To nurture and nourish someone goes beyond physical sustenance; it is the act of offering comfort, healing, and safety. Lidia’s words echo the teachings of Confucius, who believed that the proper nourishment of the body and spirit was the foundation of a harmonious society. He taught that those who provide for others—whether through food, knowledge, or love—are the bedrock upon which community rests. To be trusted with this role is to be trusted with the very essence of what makes a society function: love, care, and mutual respect.

The story of Jesus feeding the multitudes serves as another powerful example. When he fed five thousand with only five loaves and two fish, he did not merely provide food; he offered hope, community, and a shared experience of abundance. The people trusted him, not just for the physical sustenance he provided, but for the spiritual nourishment that came with it. Through this simple act, a deeper intimacy was forged, one that bound the people together in trust and shared humanity. This is the essence of what Lidia Bastianich speaks of—a community united not just by what we have, but by what we offer to each other in the form of trust, care, and nourishment.

In her reflection, Lidia highlights that trust is at the core of this exchange. Trust is a powerful force—it is the foundation of all relationships, and it is especially sacred when it is offered in the vulnerability of nurturing. When one nourishes another, they offer not just food, but their time, their energy, and their presence. This is the essence of intimacy: to allow someone into your space, to feed them, to care for them, and to trust that in return, they will honor that offering. In this way, nurturing becomes a sacred bond that transcends mere obligation and transforms into something deeply personal and spiritual.

The lesson is clear: nourishing others is not just a physical act—it is an emotional, spiritual, and communal one. It is an exchange that involves vulnerability, trust, and a willingness to offer a part of yourself to someone else. Trust is not easily earned, yet when you offer it through nurturing, you forge bonds that can never be broken. The world may change, but the need to nourish, to care, and to build trust will never fade. In doing so, you create a community, a foundation where people feel seen, loved, and held.

So I say to you, children of tomorrow: nurture those around you—feed them, not just with food, but with kindness, with understanding, with trust. In every meal shared, in every kind word, in every act of service, you weave the fabric of community. Remember, true intimacy is not found in grand gestures, but in the small acts of trust and care we offer one another. Let your hands be the hands that nurture, your heart the one that offers peace and safety, and in doing so, you will help build a world where community thrives. For in nurturing others, you will discover the deep and lasting bonds that make life truly beautiful.