Jan. 01. 2013 |
All the years past, I've looked forward to a new year coming. This year I had mixed feelings and couldn't understand why. Two days before the arrival of 2013, I realized that I wasn't ready for time to move forward. Had time stopped? Not exactly, but now time would be marked by 2013.
2012 saw the passing of my Mother. How could I move on from 2012 - that last year we had together?
As I was looking for a book to check out from the library, I came across Moly Wizenberg's memoir, "A Homemade Life." She writes of her moving forward and self-discovery after her Father's death.
The quote in the photo above is from her book. It reminded me that I am never without my Mom or Dad close by. Memories shine on and their light follows me wherever I go.
Molly's story is interwoven with the memories that food holds and family recipes. She notes,
"Food is never just food. It's also a way of getting at something else: who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be."
tamales |
Memories of my Mother include watching horror movies together and cooking Mexican food. My Father is remembered by his photography and music.
Every Christmas eve, Mom would make tamales. When we were old enough to help, my sister and I would stay up helping her. Just after midnight, we'd eat our first Tamales and then exchange presents. My Dad would be the one photographing the memories as his favorite records played in the background.
I ended 2012 by making Tamales while listening to Johnny Cash and Freddy Fender in honor of my parents.
And I begin 2013 with memories shining on and the road untravelled before me.
James Wright's poem is on Molly's blog.
Comments
Linda
Hold onto those tender memories and carry them with you always. xo
Bella, you're right about us being in the same shoes, and it helps to have the memories as beacons to guide us.