Marianne Richardson

I started making bread during COVID as a way to pass time with my kids. What began as something simple and fun took on a much deeper meaning the following year, when my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. During that time, baking became my outlet, a way to quiet my mind and manage the stress. There was something incredibly calming about working the dough with my hands, it gave me a sense of control when everything else felt uncertain. As my husband went through chemotherapy and surgeries, our friends and community showed up for us in the most generous ways, bringing meals and treats to support our family. In return, I began baking bread for them as a small Thank you. But truthfully, it became something more for me. Those visits that were once filled with concern and heavy hearts slowly turned into moments of connection and warmth. Seeing their smiles shift from sadness to joy ended up lifting me just as much, if not more than the bread I gave.