In Mexico they have a “Dead People’s Day” and those who have passed before are remembered. On the Marae when entering the meeting house after having removed your shoes you walk to the end and honour the ancestors – pictures of those who have gone before. Today I had lunch with a friend whose son would be 40 today if he had not died from an infection which spread like liquid silver through his body 3 years ago. We talked and wondered how those mothers whose sons went to war ever survived the grief of their death far from where they can be remembered. Then I said that at the weekend I had made a pineapple mustard sauce to go with the hot ham we were providing for a dinner of 12 people. It was my sister’s recipe and it was in her handwriting. And so there she was again in my kitchen over 30 years since her death. Not all memories are unhappy ones and we remember our dead often not from a gravestone which can become overgrown and rotten as time passes but through the tangibles we pass on. Recipes, books. And then there are the intangibles like laughter and ideas.
Fresh Words Daily
Rae McGregor: Writer and Storyteller
Quote of the day
- Bill Maher"The cable TV sex channels don't expand our horizons, don't make us better people and don't come in clearly enough."
Thank you dear friend – we did enjoy a ‘remembering’ lunch didnt we. All my love to you xx
Lovely blog post Rae! You are a fabulous writer.
xxxx
Thanks Beki that is lovely of you to repond.
What a touching post.
It makes me think of the frequent reminicing I have of my grandmothers whilst cooking for the family. I’m always warmed by the simplicy and delicious results when I find myself preparing foods as they once did. Often triggered in the first instance by a desire to pursue a more frugal approach to home economics, I find myself reflecting on Nanna style cooking and serving up dishes my Gran once did. My Gran was renowned for wonderful cassoroles “using the cheaper cuts” and my Nanna seemed to constantly be producing baking off the top of the griddle? on her Rayburn.
There’s a lot to said for the memories evoked through the traditions continued and the warmth and love that lives on.
Sending love to Robyn and Beki, I believe your darling lives on in so many hearts worldwide, as well as in our home.
Love
Sarah
than you Sarah that is a lovely note I will pass it on to Beki and Robyn
Thank you Sarah – your words warm my heart – and I know he visits many peoples hearts – thank you for keeping his in yours – love Robyn