Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Eat This Legacy: Mothers' Recipes Soothe Our Souls

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Although mothers are celebrated worldwide, the American holiday, Mother's Day, began after the American Civil War.

Mothers whose sons had fought or died on opposite sides, formed groups with a peace mission:  reuniting families that had been divided by the circumstance of their residence: North or South. Many families, including my own, are scattered across the country. It is hard to imagine the pain of division by a civil war.

Mothers have a knack for bringing people together over food. It is often a favorite legacy. 

While this may be a phenomenon which is morphing due to ready-made and take-out foods...
  • FOOD UNITES US! No gathering--including wakes and funerals, seems complete without it. 
  • FOOD DEFINES US! Our ethnicity and cultural heritage have iconic foods.
  • FOOD--AND RECIPES--EXCITE US! On index cards, magazines, TV and blogs:  we share them.
Libby shared, "Mother's deep fried hush puppies were famous, and delicious with freshly caught fish!"

Lyn shared, "My Mother was known throughout our Texas extended family, as a good cook and baker."


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The Condolence Coach invites the use of "favorite food memories" in your note to someone who's mother has died. 

Here are some suggestions:
  • "The first time I tasted your Mom's homemade __________ was ______."
  • "Even in her eighties, your amazing Mother was stretching strudel dough on the kitchen floor!"
  • "When Dad was recuperating from ______, your Mother brought us __________."
  • "Your Mom taught our Girl Scout troop how to make S'mores over a campfire..."
  • "Remember how homesick I was during freshman year? You shared those Snickerdoodles from your Mom..."
Share this post--and a favorite food memory, too.  Thanks for caring!

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