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.
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