Kimberlee K.

For the haters: you know who you are.

If anyone tries to tell you that “toast is only a breakfast food” this is a lie.

A lie because toast is universal, toast is versatile, toast is toast is toast, any time of day or night.

Be it dusk or dawn, summer or winter: toast.

Be it savory or sweet, loaded or light: toast.

My last meal would be toast.

Why? Because toast is anything you make it.

It is the puzzle piece to any missed meal or late-night snack.

It is the round peg that fits the square hole.

It is, need I say it—don’t worry, I will—toast.

A toast to friends (clink) is a celebration, a paying of respects, an offering of kindness and blessings.

And toast for friends is all of that but with bread.

And maybe avocado.

Or bananas and honey.

Or butter and jam.

Or peanut butter*.

Or cottage cheese.

Or beans.

Or shredded cheese and garlic salt.

Or cinnamon sugar.

Or countless other options.

It is a main course and a side dish, it is a snack before a workout and a treat at the end of the day.

It is crunch, it is flavor, it is variety.

And with every bread it’s different.

With every topping it’s different.

Toast is an ellipsis and a period, it is the start of a recipe and the whole thing. It is a blank canvas and a work of art.  

Let it be written in my eulogy that I loved toast.

Let me be remembered for casting out the toast deniers, or those trying to lock toast in the basement when it deserves the penthouse of our hearts**.

Let me be the one to open the eyes of those blind to toast and open the ears of those not yet equipped to find giddiness in the sound of that bounce of the toaster or the ding of the toaster oven.

Let toast get the credit it deserves—no matter the meal in which it is served.

One nation, on level 4 heat, with butter and jam (or whichever desired topping, and perhaps a gluten free bread option) for all.

*While I do not subscribe to the peanut butter life, I can’t ignore the peanut butter toast population.

**Yes, this is a reimagining of Taylor Swift’s lyrics on “Bejeweled” to talk about toast.