I will thank you always for what you have done…
From Psalm 52:11
The pandemic’s stay-at-home time has allowed me the ongoing opportunity to declutter. Yesterday, I decided to organize the drawers in the kitchen. I thought I had plenty of time to complete this task until I opened that first drawer where I store my aprons and pot holders. A bright green bit of fabric caught my eye…
Whenever our family gathers, my granddaughters help in the kitchen. This is especially true of Ellie who is the eldest. During our last pre-pandemic visit, Ellie helped me to assemble a taco dip which is a family favorite. Actually, I should say that I helped Ellie because she truly did most of the work. Thank you, Ellie!
While engaged in such culinary activity, I wear the green apron that caught my eye yesterday. I have two of these terry cloth creations which are identical. While we worked on that taco dip, I wore one and Ellie wore the other. I love my green aprons because my sister fashioned them decades ago…
Cecele had two little children whom she raised alone. As Christmas approached that year, she realized she had no money for gifts other than a few things for her children. Christmas had always been our family’s favorite holiday. Even in the leanest times, our parents provided each of us with a special gift. Cecele couldn’t bear to arrive on Christmas day without something for her siblings and God-children. So it was that she sewed a large stuffed snake for my son. Because I’m the cookie baker of the family, Cecele sewed those two green aprons for me. Not long before she passed away, my sister was here for a family gathering. Her eyes glistened as she watched me pull on of those aprons from the drawer. “You still have them?” she asked. “Yes,” I responded, “I use them all the time!”
Though I intended to declutter all of our kitchen drawers yesterday, I only completed one. I picked up those green aprons and refolded them. Before returning them to their places, I held them close. I love my sister and these aprons remind me of her love for me.
Generous God, thank you for gracing us with hearts which can express love so creatively.
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