A dear friend lost her mom last week and I’m heartbroken for her, as you might imagine. After a long illness, her mother’s passing wasn’t entirely unexpected, but I’ve learned. It doesn’t matter. Loss is loss.
As I read her mother’s obituary, I smiled. An endearing goodbye invites friends and family to grieve while commemorating the loved one with well-chosen anecdotes. Glimpses and glimmers of a life well-lived. These words stood out:
“Her cookie jar was never empty…”
I was extra melancholy while I read. Yesterday would’ve been my dear mother-in-law Maxine’s 103rd birthday. Born in 1921, Maxine epitomized the graciousness of her time.
Which brings me to cookie memories – Maxine’s treasured gingersnaps. I made five dozen yesterday to send to friends and family across the country and Maxine was with me from start to finish, as I…
Consulted her recipe, assembled the ingredients.
Embraced the aroma in the kitchen….and
Sampled the goods!
My kitchen smelled like her kitchen. Reminding me of the day, decades ago when she welcomed me into the family. Into baking season, Maxine-style.
If keeping the cookie jar full is a metaphorical reference to being open and loving – receiving people with kindness – I’d say both women exuded these qualities. My dear friend’s mother and my mom-in-law, Maxine. As a testament to a life well-lived, I’d be proud of cookie jar recognition.
Keeping it full, just in case.
During a season of love and remembrance there are losses. But within the grief, aromatic memories soothe the pain. This, I believe.
Much love,
Vicki 💝
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press.
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.
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Victoria Ponders 
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