TREASURE THE MOMENTS

Treasure the moments of each family occasion, birthday, holiday, and time spent together. Even when our lives are busy, we need to take at least a few minutes each day to realize the uniqueness of our spouse, our children and grandchildren. For that moment will never come again. Take photos; keep a notebook save memorabilia to recreate those memories in the future.

There are many moments throughout our life that we wish we had realized the importance, after they had passed. Perhaps something we wish we’d done differently, said differently, or simply enjoyed. We can’t live them over, retract, or change. However, we can savor those of the present. Also, write them down to enjoy again at a later time.

I fully realized this when our granddaughter was home from college, at our multigenerational house, for a Christmas vacation. When her parents and brother took her back, a 10-hour drive, it occurred to me that various situations might occur and she wouldn’t be home again soon.

Yes, we have phone, instant messaging and texting so communication is better and more frequent than when I was in college or our daughter was. However, that’s not the same as having them closer.

Letting Children Go

My mother-in-law said to me, when our daughter went to college 600 miles away. “She’ll not be your little girl any more. She’ll be living her own life and making her own decisions. You have to let her go.” And because I did let Beth go, we’re close today.

So, treasure those moments you have with your children, your spouse and other family members when you can. Take pictures, write them down as the writer in me does, or compose poems as my mother and sister did.

Family Recipes

Some of our memories surround food and making traditional dishes for holiday meals or simply favorites you served as children were growing up.

Homemade Mac & Cheese with ham from New Year’s dinner

Homemade Tacos

Apple Crisp

Apple Pie with Crumb Topping

Brownies

Green Bean Casserole for Christmas dinner

Apple Crisp – Peel, core and slice enough cooking apples to make 4 cups. Arrange apples in 8 x 8 x 2-inch greased pan.

Mix together 2/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2-cup flour, 1/2 cup quick cooking or old-fashioned oatmeal, 1/2 cup softened stick margarine or butter, 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2-teaspoon nutmeg. Sprinkle over apple slices.

Bake about 30 minutes (until topping is golden and apples test tender) in pre-heated 375 degree F. oven. Serve warm or cold, topped with ice cream or whipped topping, if desired.

(You can add more sugar if apples are extremely tart. More or less spices are optional, too.)

(Mary Emma Allen researches and writes from her woodland NH home.)

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