my mom use to remind my siblings and me of this everytime she served it.
this idea made quite an impression on us...food with magic powers.
very carefully we would chew the green crunchy stalks, which were usually wrapped with ham and melted cheddar cheese.

and then we would wait.
wait for these heavenly thoughts to swoosh into our heads and turn us into living angels...

"if i just eat a few more bites, i won't want to kick my brother under the table."

"if i just eat a few more bites, i won't covet my sister's mood ring."

those were quiet meals, those asparagus nights...
we were so preoccupied with the idea that our thoughts could actually turn into something good and peaceful, that we were distracted from participating in the usual chaos.