Dawn's Notes
Sumay's Soup - March 2024
by Dawn Phelps, RN/LMSW
I have never met Sumay, but I like her. I have no idea what she looks like or what her last name is, but I know she is a sweet person. Her name is pronounced soo-my-uh. Sumay has been my sister’s morning in-home caregiver for a while now.
During the Christmas season about three years ago, while Covid was rampant, my sister Joy became extremely ill with a serious infection, and she struggled to keep food down. Since I live a long distance away, I had to trust those near Joy to take care of her—her doctor, a close friend, and her home caregivers.
Due to a language barrier, Sumay and I have talked very little, but I know she is kind from what my sister Joy tells me. While Joy was so sick, I talked to Sumay by phone a few times. We had a little trouble understanding each other, but instead of becoming irritated, we would pause, laugh, and try again.
Sumay’s daughter, who is fluent in English, wrote me a letter with some information about her mom. The letter said that Sumay’s primary language is Arabic and that English is her second language.
Sumay was born in the mountains of Palestine, but her family of origin now lives in Jordan, a land of the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, mountains, deserts, and Bedouin tribes with camels—a culture very different from the U.S.
In Sumay’s culture, healthcare is scarce. Sumay said, “My mother taught me how to use herbs and spices. She was the first to open my eyes on this type of healing as she always used herbs and spices to heal me and my eight siblings from any illnesses we got. The chemical medicines were never part of our lives.”
When my sister was so sick, Sumay used the knowledge from her culture to prepare nutritious foods for my sister, and her health began to improve. Joy told me Sumay’s soups are full of vegetables, broth, and some seasonings. She says Sumay’s soups are also delicious.
One day Sumay texted me a photo of the soup she had prepared that day. She asked me the name of the “green beans” in the soup, and I texted her back that the “green beans” are called green peas.
Her soup broth usually has a yellowish color which Sumay said was from turmeric, a “healing spice.” She said her main spices are ginger, turmeric, paprika, and black pepper.
Sumay’s soups are nourishing and delicious, but I am convinced that she stirs more than broth, vegetables, and spices into them. I think she must sprinkle in healing thoughts, caring, and determination to help my sister get better.
As in the lyrics of a song by Sandy Patti, I believe love and caring has a language of its own: “Love in any language, straight from the heart, pulls us together, never apart….” Caring deeds, smiles, gestures, and hugs communicate kindness—a language that is universal for all—“love in any language!”
I believe Sumay’s visits, kindness, and nutritious soups slowly nudged Joy back to health a few years ago. And Joy now looks forward to seeing Sumay seven mornings a week, and she still enjoys Sumay’s soup twice a week.
Many others who are dealing with illnesses could benefit from nurturing care like Sumay’s, especially toward the end of life. We all need to know that we are loved, that our lives have mattered, and that we will be missed when we are gone.
And those who are left to grieve after a loved one dies also need hugs and kindness which sometimes speak louder than words. I admire how Sumay has made a difference in my sister’s life through her kind acts.
Although I have never met Sumay, I am thankful for her. Someday I hope to meet her, and maybe I will even get a sample of her delicious Sumay’s soup!
Call about the next "Living Life after Loss" Group at:
Meadowlark Hospice
709 Liberty, Clay Center, Kansas
(785) 632-2225
Dawn Phelps, RN/LMSW, Group Facilitator