A Recipe and a Memory

I was planning my Thanksgiving meal on this quiet Friday morning, after Thanksgiving. While most people are shopping on “Black Friday,” I’m strolling down memory lane by way of my old recipe box. Does anyone still keep a box of handwritten recipes? Probably not, but mine is full of treasures.

 

We're having our traditional meal on Saturday after Thanksgiving due to traveling. I’m feeling very festive and nostalgic at the same time. There are many things to do to prepare for Christmas, but I decided to focus on our meal and add a few extra touches. One recipe led to another, and before I knew it I was searching for a cheese ball recipe with a precious memory attached. 

 

When I was a young bride, I went back home to visit my other mother, Wilma. The local grocery store was a fixture in our community for as long as I can remember. The ladies who bought it from the original Ball family were usually behind the counter making something delicious for their lunch. This particular day, we walked to the store to get a couple of things, and when we arrived, they had made a cheese ball and wanted us to try it. They hadn’t even shaped it into a ball yet, because it was so delicious they were spreading it on crackers right out of the bowl. So, of course we had to have some for ourselves. And let me tell you, it was absolutely heavenly. This was in the early 80’s when cheese balls were generally made with cheddar cheese. This one was different, made with cream cheese, and we were hooked. They gave us the recipe, and we went home and made it that day. Wilma scribbled it out on a card for me, and that’s what I was searching for in my box. I still haven’t found it, but I found many others. That brings me to the point of this blog post. 

 

Do we write things that stand the test of time? Is our handwriting on record for future generations to read and enjoy? As I flipped through dozens of recipes, I see more than a recipe’s ingredients–I see love and attention. I see the care my loved ones took to record delicious food to nourish a family, feed a sweet tooth, or take to a covered dish gathering. When I see the handwriting of Wilma or my mother, it brings back images of how they imprinted my life. Wilma and I sent hundreds of letters and cards to each other, filled with the everydayness of life. She always recorded the date of every recipe, letter, or card. She never missed a birthday of mine from the time I was born until she no longer remembered who I was because of illness. Her letters kept me in her daily life and I will forever be thankful for that, and her.

 

Looking for that recipe caused me to stop this morning and remember someone who had an eternal impact on my life. What words will you leave behind to remind your family and friends of your love? 

 

I’m a word person. I take it seriously because I know the joy of reading something from those I can no longer touch, or talk to this side of heaven. So, on this Thanksgiving 2024, I celebrate and honor the simple words recorded on a recipe card, and thank God for the legacy left to me to continue with my family. 

 

For all the ways she loved me, this post is in memory of Wilma Summers. If there’s food in heaven, I will be first in line at her table.

And Now We are Five...Meet Cameron

When children enter your world, life takes on new meaning. Strollers, diapers, and scheduled feedings give way to cheerleading, soccer and piano practice. One day you turn around and she's coming through the door waving her left hand with lots of bling.

Along the way, you've been sending prayers to heaven on her behalf. You've asked the God you love to protect her, guide her, and guard her heart. You've prayed for the direction of her career, her teachers, her friends, and her life mate.

The entire time you're praying it seems like it's, "some day."

For my little girl, "some day," came this past year.

And four became five...

Cameron waltzed into her life and swept her off her feet. It was a storybook romance. They dated a short time and married this summer. I'm now a mother-in-law...a title I hadn't prepared myself for, but am enjoying.

As the holidays are upon us we have to navigate the blending of traditions with two families for the first time.

My new son-in-law and I sat down recently for lunch and I thought I'd share some of our conversation...with his permission of course.

As I've gotten to know him better, I've come to realize he is an answer to one of the prayers for my girl. And I give thanks.

Cameron grew up in Anderson, had a similar childhood as Bailey. He describes himself as, "extremely strong willed." (For anyone reading who has a child with a similar disposition, please be encouraged by what you're about to read.) He has two older brothers and says, "I really had three daddies because of the age difference between me and my brothers." There are seven years between him and his middle brother, Timothy.

He was active in sports as a young boy. Football and wrestling were his primary sports where he was a Three-Year Letterman in Football at Westside High School earning All-Region and All-Area his senior year. He was a Four-Year Letterman in Wrestling earning All-Region and All-Area twice in his high school career. He was runner-up in the SC State Wrestling Tournament his senior year.

His oldest brother, Stephen, went to The Citadel and Cameron says by sixth grade he knew he too, wanted to follow in his brothers' footsteps and attend this prestigious school. He loved the structure and discipline of their program. He said, "If you didn't pass you were the only one to blame."

Cameron with his second love

His childhood dream was realized when he entered The Citadel as a freshman knob. Cameron knew from the day he set foot on campus there was one more goal to be accomplished...The Summerall Guards. His brother, Stephen, was part of this elite group of men. This is a strenuous, six month training program, designed to weed out the weak. Cadets are not eligible until their junior year of study. Hundreds begin, sixty-one men are chosen at the end of the training period. Their service begins the first day of their senior year with a grand ceremony, a passing of the torch from one class to another.

Not only did Cameron pass all the tests and make the Guards, but he was elected to the same position as his brother of Supply Sgt., number three in rank. They are the only brothers in Citadel history to hold this position.

Cameron said The Cidadel prepared him for life. It taught him structure, discipline and responsibility. He is also a man of great faith. He was raised in a home where discipline, faith in God, and love went hand in hand. He said his mom and dad were a team. He trusted their advice on everything.

You may ask why I tell you all these things about my new family member. Well, there are several reasons. I write about family, my faith, my journey...the struggles AND the joys. My life has been a series of pain and happiness, joy and sorrow, thankfulness and regret. I've written a lot lately about my pain. I decided it was time to rejoice in something good. Cameron has been good for Bailey. As they say to one another, "They are God's provision for each other."

If you are in the throes of parenting, don't give up or in. The days of diapers and carpools will end quickly. Be on your knees, for one day you'll be watching her walk down the aisle or come out the side door and their short life will flash before your eyes. You'll say to yourself, "Did I do everything, teach everything, did I, did I, did I?"

My advice to you now that I'm on the other side is love them and be there for them. Pray for them. Ultimately, God is their keeper. He knew the intention of my heart and He knows the intention of yours. And in those times when we can't pray, His spirit does. He utters the prayers that we are too weary and broken to pray over our children. So be faithful and He will provide what your child needs when they need it.

He did for mine.

Thanksgiving is a time to remind us to count our blessings, to draw our attention to the One who provides, who heals, who protects, who saves.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Happy Thanksgiving,
Cindy

Giving Thanks...To An Unseen Guest

Thanksgiving. A time of giving thanks...of humbling ourselves before Almighty God and acknowledging His provision in our lives.

I have wonderful childhood memories of packing up the family car, making our way north, through snow and ice to my aunt's house in Ohio. It was tradition. My mom was big on tradition, and for several years we gathered around the table with cousins, aunts, uncles and delicious food. There wasn't a lot of talk about God's provision, but in my family, it was an unspoken truth.

We began our own traditions and they have changed some through the years as our family has changed. We've had to let some things go as family members have passed on into eternity. Whenever we celebrate in our home, one practice remains–each person seated around the table must share something for which they're thankful. Not a bite of turkey can be eaten until each voice is heard. It causes us to stop and focus our attention on our provider, the giver of all good gifts.

Sometimes I forget though and stumble through life. I struggle and lose my way. My heart becomes heavy and I ask, "Lord, where are you?"

As He always does, He leads me beside quiet waters to words.

Since I was a young girl, words have been my solace, my balm, my healing salve.

This morning I was reading "Jesus Calling," preparing this post, this is part of what I read:

"A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles. Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing. This is the power of praise: centering your entire being in Me. This is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image. Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness."

Words. Powerful, life-giving words that tell us how to live with joy.

Are you looking for a miracle? Maybe you're just looking for an abundant life. The answer lies in a life of praise and thankfulness to the One who made you; the One who created you in His own image.

I'm reminding myself of these truths as much, or even more than anyone else. Give thanks, not only today, but every day for his bounty.

Look around you to see what He is doing and you'll find Him. He will be the unseen guest at your table tomorrow. You'll see Him in the faces of your loved ones as you gather. You'll lift His name as you recall the many ways He has carried your family this past year. As you name your blessings one by one, your spirit will be lifted and your burden will be lightened.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise:

give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever:

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

As I gather with my family tomorrow, I'll be thankful for many things this year; one of them, the blessing of writing My Little Corner. I truly appreciate those of you who read each week and comment whether it's on the blog or on Facebook. You lift my spirit with encouragement and for that I'm thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Cindy