Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Sweet Southern Memories

My Momma's health has been in decline over the last few years so it is hard for her to face being unable to prepare the traditional holiday meal for us.  It usually falls on my sister and myself to do the cooking.  It is wonderful to be able to do this but it never tastes the same as when my Momma cooks.  Never ever.  The lady can stand there in the kitchen, oversee the whole operation, but if she never picks up a spoon....nope.  Not the same.  

I am a sentimental person.  

This next statement will sound morbid but oh well.  When a family member passes away, I ask for something out of their kitchen.  A bowl, a spoon, a utensil, a recipe, especially the recipes.  
Coming from a traditional Southern family has taught me that true love comes straight from the kitchen. 

When holidays approach, I need to feel the love that transcends generations.  I have my Aunt Betty's casserole dish. My Grandmother's Depression Glass serving bowls, My Maw Maw's serving spoons.  These are the people I think of when I reach for this piece or that and do my very best to honor their memory when I serve my friends and family.
Each piece has a story to tell.
I hope my children pass these stories along.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

My thoughts, you are welcome.

It occured to me that I have some things to say that, in my head, need to be placed on paper.
People are human.  We easily forget that.  
It comes with made up rules, religions, and common ground.  We all tend to flock toward those that believe the same way we do, laugh at the same things and grieve over the same things... on occassion. 

When someone makes a mistake, there are those who forgive even though they do not know how to.  We hold things inside until we are ready to explode and have no idea where it comes from. There are ghosts in our past and horrors that can fill the tallest buildings.  We all need our places to vent, release and turn the demons lose.  We need to learn how to forgive ourselves for whatever shortcomings society has placed on our doorstep.  It is never shameful to ask for help or to lend an ear but do so with heart and hope.

I have friends that are grieving the death of a marriage.  The impending outcome due to a loved one's battle with cancer. The child that has become ill with no hope of recovery.  We all have our challenges in life but how you handle the outcome makes all the difference in the world.  Fight a good fight and keep love in your eyes... always.  It is so easy to become bitter and angry.  There are some things in life that we never fully recover from but with time, the edges can become softer and easier to reflect on.  Find peace in those memories and embrace tomorrow.