I recently combed through my family’s cookbook, a white binder full of recipes that my parents have collected over the years. Some are torn out of magazines, others are written on scraps of paper, from a yellowing DMV envelope to stationary from my mom’s old job. It’s been nine years since my mom died, but I still feel her through her food and the stories we share about her while eating it around the dining room table.

Some people eat to live and others live to eat. I’m the latter. Food has always felt special to me. I love what it can symbolize: tradition, community, comfort and exploration. It’s amazing how one dish can be made so many ways depending on who’s cooking it, how much you can learn about someone through food and how cooking can be a way to show someone you care.

With food on the brain — great, now I’m hungry — let’s talk about it. What’s your favorite meal? What are your family traditions surrounding food? Do you like to cook? What special memories do you have with food?

Whatever comes to mind, I’d love to know.

Please make it a six-word story, a personal short story, with a beginning, middle and end.

Make us laugh or cry or at the least feel something. For example, here is the famous story attributed to, but not proven to be written by, Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” That’s quite the story! Need more examples? “It can’t be. I’m a virgin,” writes Kate Atkinson. “Set sail, great storm, all lost,” says John Banville.

If you want your story to run in the IJ, please:

• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line

• Send one six-word story. Just one

• Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email, no attachments

• Write your short story in the body of the email, no attachments

• Use proper punctuation and spelling

• Use sentence style in one line

• Do not submit six adjectives — that’s not a story

Please send to lifestyles@marinij.com by May 16 and look for it in the May 27 lifestyles section and online.

Recently, we asked IJ readers to share who or what has inspired them. Here’s what they had to say.

Retired social worker, thanks sociology professor. — Richard Schneider, San Rafael

Santa Sabina — silence, Harriet, Susannah — thanks. — Linda Enders, San Rafael

Long-lost relatives sharing love and ideas. — Christine von Atzigen Sugrue, Corte Madera

Inspired by Richard Powers’ book “Overstory.” — Bev Ripps, Mill Valley

She danced; I listened. I taught. — Frieda W. Zolan, San Rafael

Mom always lived the golden rule. — Janet Lee Benjamin, Tiburon

Purcell always believed in me — wow! — Gretchen Davidson, Mill Valley

Demanding theater directors inspired successful career. — Phoebe Moyer, Greenbrae

Beatles sing love, hope, peace. Imagine! — April Orcutt, San Anselmo

Parents inspired embracing our Mexican heritage. — Mary Ann Gallardo, San Rafael

Chick Corea liked my playing — damn! — Craig Whatley, San Rafael

Girl Scoutmaster Horsfall: camping and volunteering. — Diane Cokely, San Anselmo

Teacher, veteran taught value of service. — Kermit R. Kubitz, Larkspur

Roger Tatarian, journalism professor’s national legacy. — Michael Ardito, Fairfax

“Flash” Basham inspired my running life. — David Leipsic, San Rafael

My college art professor, Will Kern. — Sam Fleeger, Marin City

Meaningful pain. Careful help. Thank you. — Marian Huntington, Novato

Teacher saw specialness in me. Emboldening! — Jenny Wood, Mill Valley

Dad’s advice was usually right on. — Hank Simmonds, Kentfield

Mentor: the person who invented Mentos. — Bruce Donals, Fairfax

Wrestling coach Reilly: “Pain is good.” — Jim Koger, San Rafael

I met my wife: Life bloomed! — David Reinstein, San Anselmo

My inspiration: charismatic Girl Scout leader. — Sue Beittel, San Rafael

MG-TD began blissful 65-year marriage. — Ray Taylor, Mill Valley

Teaching recommended by Mom — I quit. — Pamela Lunstead, Novato

Stay socially, physically and intellectually active. — Bob Chilvers, Mill Valley

Parents would conquer world for decency. — Karen Arnold, San Rafael

Flying career, inspired by travel author. — Gailya Magdalena, Lucas Valley

Nursing instructor: Gigi will witness autopsy! — Gigi Zavagno, Novato

Ellen Duncan inspired love of biology. — Ginger Souders-Mason, Kentfield

Len and Kuzma taught fine carpentry. — Tom Eller, Woodacre

Mrs. Horler made me feel special. — Joan Lubamersky, Larkspur

Mom, Willie Mays fueled baseball love. — David Curtis, Novato

Seventh-grade Latin teacher ignited my language-love. — Ann Woodward, Greenbrae

Husband John helps make dreams happen. — Linda Varonin, Corte Madera

My parents were my biggest mentors. — Heike Dittrich-Kruljac, Corte Madera

School teachers: terrific. Six uncles: superb. — Therese Stawowy, San Rafael

Carmen Lynch taught me couples therapy. — Marcia Naomi Berger, San Rafael

Blank paper; choices write our destiny. — Noreen Hook, San Rafael

Parents came with nothing and prospered. — Elaine Goldman, San Rafael

Anna, Pat, Osha: intend enlightenment, open. — Ron Skellenger, Woodacre

Share experiences, will come back tenfold. — Michael Burkell, Mill Valley

Gail: an inspiring, persevering, gracious friend! — Claudia Lowder, Mill ValleyPractice makes permanent, composition, perspective, color. — Pat Bohm, San Rafael

Cate Blanchett trashing inconsiderate, leaf-blowing neighbors. — Mary Geving, Woodacre

BEAR League teaches coexistence, not killing. — Evelyn Riebe, Mill Valley

One-room schoolhouse, nurtured by Mrs. Baldwin. — Diane Ryken, Novato

Presidents who aren’t walking constitutional crises. — Tom Allen, Ross

Exemplifying and exuding what they taught. — Beth Zamichow, San Rafael

Dr. Bill Walsh, Project HOPE founder. — Wally Chipman, Terra Linda

Mrs. Stires inspired seven of us. — Patrick Ritter, San Rafael

My mother taught me so much. — Cece Jonsen, Novato

Best friend’s mom; skydiving at 90! — Mary Beth Baker, San Anselmo

Mario Andretti’s advice: “Know the variables.” — David Simerly, Mill Valley

Doug: inspiring leader, kindhearted, beloved, treasured. — Larie Flaherty, Mill Valley, on behalf of Doug’s fan club

Caring colleague, uplifting friend, supportive mentor. — Elisa LoCurto Charne, Novato

Mothers, who bravely face challenging times. — Karen Zizzo Kempf, Novato

Polonius, Kobun, Zazen, Tomas, Hikuri, Silvia. — Trout Black, San Rafael

Professors, teachers, loving friends, children, family. — Antoinette DeLucchi, San Rafael

Teatime with Stephanie = publish my book! — Maura Harvey, San Rafael

Dimitri, your creativity, dedication inspire us. — Mary Klem, San Rafael

Drake High teachers: Hecomovich, Jaloff, exceptional. — Carolyn Smith, San Rafael

Grandma opened my eyes to faith. — Dave Powell, Novato

Aunt taught sewing; instilled fashion creativity. — Lucille Herger, Novato

Pastor Jung — how to serve others. — Sharon Eide, Novato

Unique, talented Mom joyously treasured life. — Jeri Sternenberg, Mill Valley

Her magic hands calmed aching muscles. — Marty Barry, Novato

“There’s no time like the present.” — Bill Higgins, Fairfax

Became teacher, inspired by educator mother. — Lucy MacSwain, San Rafael

Bill Wilson. Doctor Bob. Thank God! — Gigi Bibeault, Terra Linda

Forty years nurturing preschoolers, Mrs. Parker. — Gretchen Alden, San Anselmo

Fast cars, motors, horsepower, sunset boys. — George Cammas, Novato

Dad, full of life, my inspiration. — Larie Flaherty, Mill Valley

Each of my mentors was Scandinavian. — Carole Bonhomme, Greenbrae

“You Go Girl” Falkirk Cultural Center. — Judith Selby Lang, Forest Knolls

My flute teacher: taught, listened, loved. — Karla Kvam, San Rafael

Inspirational hometown nurses. Became registered nurse. — Ann D. Davis, Tiburon

Muir, Darwin, Thoreau: inspired young naturalist. — Kurt Rademacher, Corte Madera

Didn’t do as advised — succeeded nevertheless. — David Gilbert, Santa Venetia

Kindness and service — my parents’ legacy. — Christine Heilmann, San Anselmo

“Can-do” optimism; FDR inspired father! — Dart Cherk, Mill Valley

She met, trained, hired, married me. — Noel Dean Robertson, Fairfax