I recently witnessed an act of supreme kindness. A friend and her son returned home from a stressful day at the hospital, and a neighbor brought them homemade chicken soup. I witnessed the soup’s creation and, frankly, marveled. It looked and smelled so glorious, I could not help but envy the friendship that inspired such thoughtfulness and care.

Though I could not recreate a sentiment so beautifully expressed, tonight I did---for my own family---attempt to recreate the soup. I harvested parsley and collard greens from the garden and was literally in the middle of making noodles when our home phone and my cell rang. The news was the same on both lines: A tornado had been spotted in Beavercreek, take shelter immediately! I turned off the heat to the boiling pasta water and joined my family in a 2 ft by 9 ft space below the stairs. My husband watched the storm move through the area on www.wunderground.com, and I ticked off the supplies we had prepositioned in the space (radio, lanterns, rations) and those we really should stock (water, blankets, first aid).

After 45 minutes, we got the all clear and I did my best to whip together ingredients since we were pushed past bedtime. Though imperfect, we discovered a universal truth: Chicken soup is deeply satisfying. Do consider this curative whenever a friend is in need... or while a storm rages outside.