Five Important Ingredients

A friend's grandmother passed away and seeing her pictures made me think about my grandmother.  My Grandmother was a beautiful and kind woman.  I miss her everyday.  While, I didn't get the opportunity to cook with her often, when I did it was wonderful.  She put love in everything that she did and in some small way I think this captures her spirit.  I hope you enjoy this day 11 of the 31 day writing challenge.

Prompt – List five ingredients that you would use to cook a perfect meal.

Betty sat on her stool beside her kitchen island and smiled as she watched her grandbabies roll out the cookie dough.  She remembered all those years ago when her Granny had taught her to make these same cookies.  Well it started with these cookies but it turned into so much more.  She loved the weekends she could spend with her Granny in the kitchen.  She always learned so much more than cooking during those visits.  She could still hear the rasp of her Granny’s voice, the smell of her jasmine perfume, the feel of her hands as they caressed Betty’s hair.  Smiling at the memory, she reached over and stroked Ellie’s hair.  Unlike in her day, when boys were not allowed in the kitchen, Betty was ecstatic to have Benjamin in hers.  She hoped someday they would remember these times with as much fondness as she.  “Now those look perfect.  It is time to cut them.  Pick the shape you want and remember to flour your cutter.”  “  Yes, ma’am,” they both squeaked with delight.  This was the first time they had actually been allowed to cook something and it was cookies!  Betty hobbled over to their side, her bad hip having stiffened up as she sat.  “Now we want to put those on the cookie sheet.  Remember what Nana said?”  “  Yes, ma’am!  Cook with care, patience, humor, passion, and love because those are the ingredients that matter.”  “  That’s right babies.  So you use care when you put those on the cookie sheet and then we will use patience while we wait for them to cook.”  Betty remembered the day her Granny had taught her the most important ingredients to cook with weren’t actually food.  “Baby Girl, these ingredients are the most important part of cooking and in life.  You take care with what you prepare, just like you take care with how you treat people.  You take patience with your food, because it takes time for it to cook; and remember to use that in how you deal with people.  You never know what someone else is going through.  Not everyone will treat you like you expect to be treated and you must remember your patience in dealing with them.  You must cook with humor because no matter how much you may plan; there is usually a curveball along the way just like in life Baby Girl.  You must cook with passion because if you don’t have passion in what you do it will reflect in your final product.  Finally, you must cook with love.  You must live with love and cook with love because to live any other way will leave you empty.  Even if it means you might get burned, physically and emotionally, you have to live with love.”  Betty felt a tear slide down her cheek as she recalled her Granny’s voice instilling this wisdom to her.  Taking the cookie sheet and sliding it in the oven, she set the timer and turned to see her grandbabies beaming with pride.  Hmmm, I wonder if the love I feel right now looking at these two angels was the same love her Granny had felt that day.  She prayed it was and pulled her babies close for a hug.