FOOD Day 3

I love the fall season. The temperature outside is perfect for opening the windows and letting the fall breeze flow through the house. The smell of fall is always welcome in my home. The air is so crisp and clean this time of year.

I especially like fall because I love to bake, filling our home with the sweet smell of apple pies, peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies, as well as different types of cakes.  There’s no mistaking the unforgettable aromas of fresh baked breads and cinnamon rolls.  

As a child, the kitchen was my favorite place to sit.  I remember sitting at my Mémères table, taking in all the different, distinct smells as she would cook and bake throughout the day. There was always something in the oven or on the stove, like French Meat Pie, homemade soups or pot roast, real chocolate chip cookies, walnut brownies or some kind of fruit pie. She would also bake fresh bread each day.

The years had taken their toll on my dear grandmother, one year as a gift she received a bread maker. It was never the same. But the memories linger of how I would to sit at her table and enjoy her company, taking in the sweet smell and the love she had to offer.

My Mémère is very special to me. She is rough around the edges, but so full of love. When I was fifteen, I had ‘run away’ from home. After two months of living with friends I was brought back by my father. Well,  one day we went to visit Mémère and Pépé and I was very afraid of what they would say to me.

When I had gotten out of the car, the first thing that reached me was the comforting aroma of something wonderful  in the kitchen. Bread! Oh, how I wanted a piece of homemade bread to ease my nerves.

Pepe met me in the foyer , I smiled and gave him a weak hug, I was uncertain if he was glad to see me. To my relief, he returned my hug and responded with, ‘So? I see you’re back from vacation. ‘       Mémère at that point ushered me in and sat me at the table, where in front of me was a big slice of bread and a jar of peanut butter. No words were needed.  For the first time I understood what mercy was about.

How does this all tie together? The two people I feared the most, were the two people that showed me the most love. Being a teen, and running away, those that I thought were the ‘closest’ to me were the ones that would not let you live it down. 

My Grandparents, who were the ones who would always tell it like it is, were the two that offered compassion and understanding. They knew that I understood and was repentful for what I had done. Their display of love and mercy are forever burned in my heart. I am grateful to them for distributing mercy and not the deserved punishment of ridicule and shame.

Their display of love, mercy and grace is an example, to me, of how Christ loves us.

Ephesians 2:3-5

King James Version (KJV)

³Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.