11/26/2025
Gratitude.
That is what I am feeling this morning. Three years ago after my mom passed, I started caring for my father. He is 95. Let’s just say it’s a lot. I started disappearing from my life because so much of his, took the space of mine. I’m not complaining, it’s just what happened.
This week, a dear friend whom I rarely see dropped a gift off at my door with a card. He thought of me even though I’m practically invisible socially. He remembered me. And I started remembering me. It was a gift he didnt know he was giving me.
This morning I started baking a pumpkin pie. I have no time actually to make this pie but the child I never say “no” to asked, so I thought I’d get up early and get it in the oven. While I was making the crust which is a skill I learned from my mom as well as making the pie, I got to take a moment to remember sweet memories of my mom. She taught me to do everything in the kitchen. That’s what moms of her generation did. As I measured and mixed and rolled, the childhood movies played in my mind of her and I in the kitchen over the years. I’m not going to lie, there might be a little extra saltiness in everything this year because I was crying in gratitude to be able to be alone and remember her. The VA didn’t call, the pharmacy didn’t call, the caregiver showed up and I got to make a pie with my mom.
Christmas Magic already happened at our house, and it’s not even Thanksgiving.
God is good. He sends friends with small gifts that fill up the room and sends Moms who have been gone for 3 years into the kitchen for a little pie baking.
My heart is full.
