You're Still My Little Sweet Potato

I put myself through nursing school by working in nursing homes as a nursing assistant. It was brutally difficult work, but I just loved my people. Working in long term care, you get to know the residents and their families. Working as intimately as I did with my patients, I found the best way to preserve their dignity was to get them talking. I learned so much from these people. One, in particular, rings in my ears repeatedly. He was the father of a local celebrity and their family was absolutely delightful, and very dear to me. I'll call him Charlie.

Charlie greeted me every morning with a slightly confused smile. As I helped him get up for breakfast, dressing in what was, by far, the most dapper wardrobe of the facility, he would touch my cheek and say, "You're still my little Sweet Potato, aren't you?" I'm not quite sure if he thought I was someone else. My hope is that, it was me he was speaking to.

Charlie was a man of few words, but he's the man that taught me what I think is the best life lesson I've learned thus far. He said to me, "No one gets to the end of their life wishing they would have worked more." Now, isn't that true? I miss him. I doubt that his family would remember me, I tried very hard to be invisible there, knowing that their time with him was precious. I hope, though, that I was a comfort to Charlie. And, that I really was his little Sweet Potato.

My Little Sweet Potato Fries

Serves 6 at 2 Points per Serving

3 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed within an inch of their lives. Do not peel!

Nonstick Cooking Spray

Sea Salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray two cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Cut sweet potatoes in half, lengthwise, then into 1/4 inch thick steak fries. Place in a single layer on cookie sheets. It's okay if they overlap a little. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Then dust with sea salt and pepper. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until tender and browned. Cook longer for crisper fries.

You may season with any seasonings that you love. Cajun spice is nice.