A facbook post by a friend yesterday prompted this entry! She questioned what oddities people liked to eat...and the responses were indeed quite odd! One responder told her they liked chocolate gravy, and upon reading that, I was flooded by a river of good memories. It is so funny to me how something so minor can bring back such a rush of memories that you have tucked away in your heart. It can even be smells for me. When we were dating, Eric wore the best smelling cologne ever, and when he sprays it on now, I am transported back to those days...just by that smell! I hope my children are that way when they get older. I hope someday when I am not here any more, that something triggers good memories for them, of their mother. Aren't we all that way?? Don't we all wish to be remembered fondly, and spoken of sweetly when we are gone? In an attempt to achieve those kinds of memories, I believe that 'traditions' were born. If we do certain things, certain ways, at certain times for our families (or neighbors), it usually becomes a tradition that may follow generations to come. What better way to leave legacies, than through tradition?
As a child, we were allowed to open one gift on Christmas eve. I can remember being excited all day, and thinking carefully about which package I would open. Now, as I continue that tradition, I enjoy recalling those special memories while I watch my children create new memories; although I have given that tradition my own spin (the kids get new pj's and that is the gift they get to open) it is fun for them. A few years ago, Eric and I planned a weekend getaway for our anniversary...it has become a tradition that we look so forward to every year now. Have you created family traditions? If you can't think of any, do something about that! Your children will thank you for it someday! Traditions can be birthed from any family activities. We go camping with our kids every summer (tradition), Elizabeth and I take a Six Flags day every summer (tradition), Thanksgiving dinner at our house with just our little family (our newest tradition)...it doesn't have to be anything major, your family will remember the small things. They will treasure the time spent together, and nothing is more important than the time you give your family. The kids and I bake goodies at Christmas, and we give them to our neighbors on Christmas morning...they learn the importance of giving, and they have fun spending time in the kitchen with mom baking. Get creative with the time you invest in your family, and know that they notice when you put the phone (or toilet brush) down and listen to what they have to say.
Dream about traditions to come! My girls spend a week at my mom's house in Florida every summer. They come home full of things to tell me, but more importantly, a heart full of 'grandma memories'. I dream about having Sunday dinners with my children and their children someday, or spending time with my own grandchildren in the years to come! God has given us so much, and we sometimes forget to really stop and 'smell the roses'. Make your days count...for your family, your children, and ...your neighbors!!
For thoses who are interested...
Chocolate Gravy
Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter
5 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar (i don't use quite the whole cup)
2 cups milk (or less if you like it thicker)
2 tsp vanilla
Directions: Melt butter in heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa and flour; stir until it is kind of like a paste. Stir in sugar and milk. Cook, stirring constantly until thickened (like gravy). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Serve over hot buttered biscuits. (I have tweeked this recipe to my liking and you will find that you will do the same to suit your own taste...more or less sugar, milk, butter, etc)
Blessings!
Libby
