With the end of summer here, I’d like to share this story with you:
Some time ago my brother, Steve and his wife, Trish visited us in the country and at dinner that weekend, Steve told us a story I had never heard before.
He talked about wanting to spend time in the summer with our Uncle Tony (my mother’s older brother) and Auntie Casmira when he was probably five or six, young enough to still take a nap. He likely requested to spend time there to get away from the chaos of our large family – his little “vacation”. Uncle Tony owned a grocery store and meat market. He was a butcher and followed in my grandfather’s footsteps. So Steve wanted to work in the store.
Uncle Tony was the nicest man. Whenever we visited them for family parties, they would let all of us (6 kids) into the closed store and allow us to choose any candy or soda we wanted – both forbidden in our house.
Their three daughters (all older than Steve) pitched in and helped out at the store. So he remembers Julie’s fiancé, Bob, delivering groceries for Uncle Tony on steamy, hot St. Louis summer nights in a big ole’ station wagon with the rear panel down, letting Steve sit on that, dangling his feet (my mother would have died had she known), while he drove slowly around the neighborhood making his drops.
He remembers Auntie Casmira mopping the store floor and if there was a stain she couldn’t get out, she’d pour a little of Whistle Orange Soda on it, and that would take it out! Can you imagine what’s in that soda that we used to drink?
And he remembers being coaxed to take a nap (they lived in a lovely home in the same building, upstairs from the store), and if he did, when he woke up, there would be a cookie or two in a napkin at the foot of the bed.
Isn’t that the sweetest? Those cookies, while not necessarily homemade, were lovingly wrapped and waiting for him.
I hope that this blog is helping you to create your own food memories with your family, with some inspiring recipes.
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Beautiful little story and sentiment 🙂
The Healthy Epicurean recently posted…Easy crab pâté and independence for bairns
Sweet story and beautiful memories. I love the photograph,
apuginthekitchen recently posted…Apple Pie
What a fantastic memory. I love the idea of a snack in a napkin at the foot of the bed. You couldn’t have a memory like that without grinning ear to ear when you thought about it.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…How to Make Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
Oh, what a charming memory. Thanks for sharing pure goodness.
Once again, I stop by and read a little and end up, bathed in Grace.
I will come again.
Daleen
The best part of the story is that, even without the photo of the cookies, I could feel every moment of that little boy’s excitement. That’s good writing. Somehow, our kids’ getting excited about the newest and the latest doesn’t quite have the same meaning. I think, and maybe I’m just being an old fuddy-duddy, we need to work to fit some simplicity into our children’s lives. Thanks Mary for sharing. (That’s my Californese for “thank you”.) (I can say that because I’m a native.)
A delightful reminiscence.
What a lovely sentiment + memory. Cheers!
Gorgeous! It’s the little things in life… 🙂
A lovely story and sweet memories!
Have a great day, Mary!
Angie
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Freekeh Pumpkin Streusel Cake
Beautiful photo, beautiful story. That’s what food is all about.
That was a great memory. Thanks for sharing!
Nice story! I know food brings a lot of old memories and I have heaps to share
Raymund recently posted…Thai Cucumber Salad
Thanks for the smile, I needed it. 🙂
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl recently posted…Overnight Blueberry Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Such nice memories! And they’ve made my head spin with thoughts of my cousins, visits to North Dakota and Chicago to see relatives, and all the food we got to sample while visiting.
What a great trip down memory lane and that was a really sweet touch to recreate a moment.
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz recently posted…The Terminal for Food ân Flix
Beautiful post 🙂 If there isn’t memories behind food, what do we have?
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted…The Procrasti-Baker
Great story. And terrific picture. Thanks.
John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted…The Delmonico Cocktail
Loved the story, thanks for sharing!
What a sentimental memory and story. Sometimes it is the littlest gestures that brings us the most delight.
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Chewy Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
What lovely memories. Your uncle sounds like a wonderful man. I remember staying at a friend’s house when I was little and her parents used to put a piece of fruit at the end of her bed so that when she woke up she had something to snack on immediately. I was so excited when I went to stay there as I couldn’t wait to find out what surprise would be at the end of my bed xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted…Reef Beach, Sydney
A beautiful story. A very thoughtful gesture.
mimi recently posted…Roasted Crabapples
What a sweet memory? I never thought that orange soda can do the little trick. I love cherishing a little moments of life like this. They make life more enjoyable and appreciating, aren’t they? Thanks for sharing.
Holly | Beyond Kimchee recently posted…Soy Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Asparagus
I just loved this post. So warm and full of love! I can just imagine him with his feet dangling from the station wagon…As the Mom, I probably would have died too 🙂 And those cookies just melt your heart. What special memories. Thank you for sharing.
tableofcolors recently posted…October