Winter Morning Delight

Titmice--tree-sitting--
plump from stripping crimson fruit
from winter branches.

Mama's Letters

My pop, a Navy man, was often stationed out to sea for months at a time. During this time, he called home when he could, but it was infrequent and expensive, contingent on when and where his ship docked. Hence, the most consistent and frequent form of communication between my mama, my pop, and my brother and me was through the mail. I remember watching television with my brother each evening after dinner. Mom sat in her chair writing letters to Pop. On her side table sat boxes of scented, fancy note-cards and writing paper of various colors and designs. She wrote to Pop tirelessly each and every night, often pages at a time. She would fill him in on what my brother and I were doing in school, the dog's silly shenanigans, the neighbors' doings...anything she thought he might be missing out on. Sometimes, I would hear her soft sniffling and turn to see her rereading one of Pop's letters. She would read us Pop's closing sentiments--"Give my love to the kids." She was so lonely without Pop, even though she had my brother, me, and our dog; yet, she never looked outside our home for excitement. She felt more comfortable at home caring for Craig and me, ensuring our chores and homework got done, that we had a good evening meal, and that we took our nightly showers. I once asked her why she wrote so many letters to Dad, to which she replied it made her feel closer to him. Mom was adamant Craig and I write often to Pop, too. While it seemed a chore at the time we sat to write him notes, we were always so excited to receive his love in return. He would always remind us to be good and to help Mom. We would read Pop's notes aloud to her and she would smile...I wonder if those letters are being stored...

Love, 

~Mama

Bus Trip to Nana's and Pepe's

While having lunch with Nana and Pepe today, Nan reminded me of a memory I had not thought of in quite a while. It's a memory that is a bit fuzzy (which concerns me because I seem to have forgotten some events from the past much too frequently as of late). I believe the year must have been circa 1993 as, Jay, you must have been at least 2 years-old. It would have been the Christmas your dad was away  in Korea for a year...I think? We, Al and Jay, traveled by bus from South Carolina to Maine to spend the holiday with Nan and Pep. As I write this, I think about what a long trip it was--through the night--and how nervous I was the entire time. The buses were not entirely clean and they were crowded. I cannot believe I traveled so far for so long with two very small girls! Was I nuts? I remember what good girls you were--very obedient and very quiet. You each had a backpack filled with fun things to do and your favorite snacks. Nan and Pep picked us up at the bus station in Lewiston...so thrilled to have their granddaughters and daughter home. I wonder if you remember the trip? You both slept in my girlhood bedroom upstairs, while I slept across the hall in my brother's old bedroom. Nan and Pep had a small black dog named Toby, whom you fell in love with and played with tirelessly. On Christmas eve, dressed in identical nighties, the two of you opened one present each, just as I had when I was a girl--a Christmas Eve tradition. The next morning, you were thrilled with the Little Tykes kitchen set "Santa" left for you, although we could not find a way to ship it back to Maine. I returned it before we began our trip back to South Carolina.

I'm hoping, girls, you are able to fill in some blanks...

Love,
~Mama

The "C" Word

Nan's got stage ll cancer. In her left breast. A mammogram detected two small spots on her breast and an enlarge lymph node under her arm pit and a biopsy confirmed cancer. She is now scheduled for another biopsy to further determine next steps, which, at this time, looks like removal of the spots, lymph node and chemo. Nan is most afraid of losing her hair! (lol!) She asked me if I had any scarves she could have to cover her head with. I don't, but I did find there are cancer survivors who donate scarves and hats to cancer patients--soooo nice if we ever get to that. She was remarkably cheerful and positive when I had dinner with her and Pep last night...not so much today (Thanksgiving), though. As you can imagine, the anxiety she has endured the past couple of weeks has taken its toll on her and she is exhausted! I imagine this is going to be a trying roller coaster ride for all of us until she is CANCER-FREE!

My first thought after Nan confirmed she had cancer was FUCK!--a thought that might imply doom...and to tell you the truth, that's the way I felt initially. That's not the correct, appropriate mentality going forward, however. According to the American Cancer Society, "[f] or women with stage ll breast cancer, the 5-year relative survival rate is about 93%" and "[a]s treatments are improving over time, women who are now being diagnosed with breast cancer may have a better outlook than these statistics show." That means 93 out of 100 people live after cancer is gone and many live much longer than five years after diagnosis. This is encouraging! Let's think optimistically! Starting with some prayers...

Prayer for the healing of cancer

Lord,

You have taught me that faith as small as a mustard seed can grow into an amazing tree.

Today I give you my little seed of faith. I place it firmly in the ground of your word. I water it with truth. The warmth of your love will make it grow.

Today I ask by faith that you would bring healing from this cancer. I place my trust in you. May this seed sow healing into every area where the tumour has emerged. May it grow into a strong work, redeeming and restoring with great strength and power.

Amen.

(a Christian prayer for healing from www.lords-prayer-words.com)

...and something soothing...

With our love and support, Nan WILL be cancer-free (in Jesus' name)!

Love,
Mama

Sweet Potato Casserole

4 - 8 sweet potatoes (depending on the size of the pan you use and the size of the potatoes)
1/4 ((1/2 stick) - 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2  - 1 cup brown sugar
1/2  - 1 bag marshmallows

Boil unpeeled sweet potatoes until easily pierced (not too soft, now). When cool, peel.

Preheat your oven to 350. Slice potatoes and layer in an 8 x 8 or a 9 x 13 pan. Thinly slice some of the butter and randomly drop them on the potatoes. Sprinkle some of the brown sugar over the top. Repeat until you have 3 or 4 layers. Sprinkle (if using mini-) or place (if using large) marshmallows, covering the potatoes. Bake until marshmallows are nicely browned.

Thanksgiving

More than just a meal...
Gather 'round the feast. Savor
love. Laugh. Make mem'ries

Nothing is Coincidental

When you are "randomly" thinking of someone (especially if s/he has not been on your mind or in your presence in a while), it is for a reason!  Be ready; s/he will phone you...text you...email you...find you through social media...bump into you at the gas station...It will be no coincidence. It will be kismet...destiny...fate. If someone crosses your mind, ACT--EXPECT! Expect him or her to contact you or show up show how, somewhere in your life--better yet, contact him! Chances are you've crossed his mind, too.

I think of my mom and she calls. I think of a guest I have not seen at the Cafe in a while and the next day she visits. I think of one of my children and they text me. Even more interesting, I will encounter common "themes" in one day--for instance, the "Auburn Colony" (something I had never heard of before) was spoken to me several times by different people in the course of one work day.

The more you stay in tune to these cosmic occurrences, the more they will happen. Nothing is coincidental. Everything happens for a reason.