gonnatake a sentimental journey

From Shirley's Cottage

Gonna Take A Sentimental Journey
The birthdays have begun. September, October , November, Christmas, and January.
When my kids were growing up, it made me crazy. It was birthday parties all fall and winter. They had their parties, but I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy them. Wish I could do it over..
Back then it was just another stress. I was in my twenties, with four little kids, and trying to figure out what life was all about.
Today, far, far away from my twenties, I am beginning a new decade, still trying to figure out what life is all about. But I have learned a few things on this journey.
One is to enjoy what you can. Even the smallest things. Because maybe that day that’s all there is.
One thing I enjoy is rocking chairs. There is one old one in my living room that was here when my folks bought the cottage. Once in a great while I sit, rock, and remember:
It was 2 am. I was rocking my baby in the rocker my mom had bought for her first grandchild. (It was a nice one. Heavy, high-backed, black lacquer with gold trim.)
There were big windows in our upstairs apartment. I could see her tiny face in the moonlight. She was cradled in the crook of my arm, squirming, waiting to be fed.
I thought to myself. "I will never forget this moment." In fact, I remember thinking she would be an only child, because there could never be another baby so beautiful, so precious.
I was wrong. Two years later, I sat in the same rocker, with her sister. She was smaller, and had a full head of dark hair. She turned out to be the smallest of the four. I held her on my knees. My thumbs were under her tiny arms, my hands holding her back and head. I said to myself, "Don’t ever forget this moment." I knew how fleeting it would be.
Two years later, I sat on the couch and watched our third baby girl being rocked by her big sister. (Who didn’t look very big with her new sister on her lap.) She was the biggest of them all, no hair, and just as precious as her sisters. My third moment to remember.
By the time baby brother came along almost two years later, everyone was rocking- each other, dolls, the dogs.
I will never forget the day we brought him home. I was sitting in the rocker, holding him. We were surrounded by his three little sisters. The look on their faces said, "Who is this stranger among us?’ He was only a stranger for about ten seconds. They have been best friends and buddies ever since.
The rocker is still around, no longer black, and needing an arm repair. It lasted through four grandchildren, too. One of these days it will be fixed-in time to rock the first great-grand child. And to make a new memory.
Birthday time takes me back, remembering just the good times and the fun they had. Nowadays I might just bake a cake or make a meal.
Instead of bending down to hug them as I once did, I stand on my tiptoes, and say, "Happy Birthday. I love you" Just as much as the day they were rocked.
I made a chocolate cake for Deb’s birthday. It was the old stand-by Texas Sheet cake, That is about as good as I get with baking. Wish I could have put candles in my chop suey. I cook better than I bake.
As long as it is chocolate, my family will like it. Here is one I haven’t tried. Maybe you have. My co-worker Dan says it is a favorite with his family. I trust his taste. How easy is this?
Oreos and Oranges
You will need:
2 cups Oreo cookies, smashed
1 small package instant vanilla pudding, made to directions
1 8 ounce tub Cool Whip
1 8 ounce can Mandarin oranges, well-drained
In a 2 quart bowl
Mix pudding and Cool Whip
Stir in cookies and oranges
Refrigerate
Serve when cold
Enjoy.