Made From Scratch

The last holiday meal my grandmother prepared was Thanksgiving dinner 2014.

Let me tell you. My grandmother could throw down! Collard greens, cornbread, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, green beans, turkey, tear drop ham, and best of all……… dressing. My mouth is watering as we speak. The best thing?

She cooked from scratch.

Every holiday season she would be hard at work in the kitchen. No box top ripping and dumping in pots. No. She took the time to make the food from the ground up. My uncle would come over and help her cook. I would be downstairs on 10 because I was ready to eat. My mom would be doing something though I can’t recall because I was usually in my own world. My grandfather? He quietly enjoyed the family gathering while he worked on his Bible Study.

This was the ultimate family time.

Sitting there laughing and talking. In some cases just knowing your family was around gives a sense of warmth and love. It wasn’t the actual meal that made Thanksgiving. It was the love that went into it. This was a tradition. Thanksgiving Eve was the time for us to enjoy each other’s company.

My grandmother has passed on leaving us to be more emotional around Thanksgiving. However, in death there is still a great deal to be thankful for.

Last night I went over my grandparents house. My mom was cooking. My uncle was helping her. I was no longer on 10 ready to eat. I found my way to the kitchen and talked to my Mom and Uncle. We laughed, talked, and enjoyed the time spent. My grandfather? He sat in the other room by himself. However, even though he was watching TV alone, the sounds of laughter and family permeated his ears and wrapped his heart with love.

As my mother was cooking she said, “My mother made everything from scratch. I can’t lose her legacy.” Well, her legacy was right there last night. Love.

We were made from scratch. Seasoned with love, joy, faith, and goodness. Molded into men and women of God,and here we stand. She helped shape all of us.

Her legacy lives on.