In this excerpt, the author expresses a deep affection for mashed potatoes, particularly when feeling down. The comfort of hot, buttery mashed potatoes brings solace during tough times, embodying a sense of warmth and indulgence. However, the effort required to prepare them contrasts with the desire for ease when emotions are low.

There’s a poignant realization that the need for comfort food often highlights feelings of loneliness, as the narrator acknowledges that the absence of someone to share these moments with can intensify their sadness. This duality of craving comfort yet feeling the weight of solitude captures a universal experience of longing for connection and the simple joys of food.