Nothing like Mom's cooking..

[Oh Haha]

My Mom called me yesterday and invited us over for Sunday dinner("oh, and I have a list of things that I figured you could do while here").

My mom lives about an hour away by freeway on the East side of MI. I see her every few weeks, either with the wife and kids or not. I call her every Thursday night to talk. We usually take her to lunch but she insisted on making it. I know better than to argue and it is a hearty meal so I didn;t put up much of a fight.


She really wanted to see my wife and kids this time so we loaded up the van and were off.

When I walked into her apartment it smelled just like Sundays growing up.Today wasr roast beef, potatoes, and homemade country biscuits. My folks would almost always make a big dinner, served around 3pm and all family were expected to be there to eat together.

Today, my little brother showed up and we raked the leaves, put the summer furniture away, and even took my kids for a walk in the nearby woods, the whole time goofiing around like we were kids again and reminiscing. It was a great day and reminded me of how much your family means in the big scheme of life. My mom isn't going to be here forever so if she wants me to drive 90 miles to get her winter boots out of the closet for her(like I did today), so be it.


For those Pelicans who lost parents recently, remember the times like I did today. The person may be gone from this world but memories can be brought to mind anytime you want.

[id10t]

My dad died 19 years ago, but mom is still going strong. Unfortunately, I learned to cook as a survival skill due to mom's cooking. Her idea of a chicken dinner was to get a whole chicken at the market, set it on a platter, cut up 3 potatoes and 4 carrols and place it around the chiken, and put the whole thing in the microwave "for a while".

Notice I didn't mention salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, bbq sauce, or anything else....

[GH85Carrera]

I lost my dad back in March. This will be my first Thanksgiving without my parents. I miss them both.

[Bill Douglas]

I've been an orphan for over 10 years. So right now I've got a roast pork in the oven. Just like my Mom used to do but better

[kach22i]

These stories are great little reminders.

Reminds me that I should take some more time to do such things.

[herr_oberst]

Great story. Especially the line about getting the boots out of the closet. There'll come a time when you'd drive across the country to open a jar if you could.

Thanks, Wayne.

[Rikao4]

take & make the time K..
would have,could have ,wanted too BUT...
is not were you want to be once their gone...

Mom wasn't feeling well..so I made dinner..
some good ol'chicken soup..
she would have eaten mud and told me..
it's great..as Mom's would do..

don't wait K..

Rika

[5String43]

Mom's cooking? Mine's been gone for 10 years, but a family member just told me that she has my mom's recipe for tamale pie, of all things, which I remember very clearly. It was always yummy. Can't wait to try this.

[M.D. Holloway]

With her passing there is an emptiness in my heart that will never be filled...the best I can hope for is to create memories for my kids.

[bivenator]

Thanks for the good thoughts haha. The time goes fast, give them hugs while you still can.

[wdfifteen]

Great story! Brings back great memories.
As I recall, my dad's mother was a fabulous cook, but I was a kid when she died. My other grandmother was the worst cook EVER. Mom wasn't much better. But big family dinners when all the aunts were cooking - WOW!

[Flat Six]

Damn, Wayne -- cherish every moment. Lost my mom couple of years ago; agree completely with Herr O. Almost nothing I wouldn't give jsut to do a few chores for her again . . . . [sniff]

[red-beard]

Took my dad to the Houston Airshow yesterday! We got to see his favorite:

FiFi

[Baz]

Great post Wayne.

Nail on the head.

Mom is all we have left now and at 92 she's still going strong, thank the Lord.

Roger that on the cooking (there's no better cook than MY Mom ) and the chores.

Spent a few hours last Thursday cleaning up her property's landscaping....(her words):

The yard looks so tidy and clean. Wow! I love the palm in my big pot on the front porch. I am so thrilled to get everything cleaned out and pruned so thank you, thank you. love, Mom

I need to do more...and will, gratefully.