A Childhood in the Kitchen
Photo by Hannah Tasker on Unsplash
I wish I could paint you a picture of what it looked like to watch my beautiful mother shuffle so elegantly across the kitchen to orchestrate her own individual masterpiece; our family dinner.
Not only because now a year after her passing, I yearn to spend a morning in the kitchen with her – but also because it was truly one of the most breath-taking things I’ve ever seen. And it took me so many years to realize why.
My mother worked full-time through my entire childhood. From a struggling single mother with 4 kids to a thriving household who had an open door for any lost soul that needed a piece of home. No matter what that piece may be; it always came with a warm dinner. There are those out there who chastise the working-mom type, but I personally think it is one the most brave things a woman can do. Not only do you find the strength to provide care and nourishment for your family (and hopefully yourself some days) but you also find the strength to work towards the best version of yourself. Sure, I can imagine some days blow. It’s hard being away from your family, exhausting being judged, tiring from yet another world depending on you – but you keep striving because you know your ultimate greater potential. Now, please understand I mean this in no disregard to stay-at-home mothers, there is a entirely different beauty in that journey and cannot begin to fathom the strength your day-to-day requires. I was simply raised by a working mother and while she may not have chaperoned all the field trips or been at every gymnastics meet; she taught me so many valuable lessons by the way she led our lives.
She taught me: to get up in the morning. We don’t always want to go to work, we don’t always like the people we have to see, but you have a world to provide for and the worst thing you could do for them is stop trying. There is a job to be done and I know I have to do my part to provide to the ultimate success of everyone. That’s work ethic.
She taught me: to keep going. I am my mother’s clone and can confidently say that we are workaholics and people pleasers. On a normal daily basis, we have more on our plate than most would like to fathom. Yet, still when someone needs a hand, or that project just has to get done… our hands instinctively go up. The plate gets bigger. And heavier. It’s starts to crack. That plate wants to shatter so fucking bad. But deep down, we know there is some Super Glue in the junk drawer and we keep that damn plate together. Kick some projects asses and hope the glue holds this time, but for now, it’s still intact. That’s perseverance.
She taught me: to open my door. If you think you are the only person to walk hard seasons in life; you are a fool. Some times all a person needs to get back going, is a safe place. Whether that be a fun evening with friends to remind yourself how to have fun and feel love or a supportive shelter until you can figure out your route for your next chance; it always came with food. Being the hostess and preparing a few appetizers or a warm dinner always meant so much more to me – we don’t judge, we just open up and share a piece of what we have to offer. That’s compassion.
I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been awhile since I got in my kitchen and truly enjoyed cooking again since my Mom passed. It was a really hard place for me to be, but I am truly missing the sanctuary the kitchen was in my life. Not only did I learn these instrumental life lessons from watching her, but I also developed her ability of releasing her tension and frustrations from the day as she swirled around the kitchen. I developed her need to feed anyone and everyone; and make enough for a small Army. I developed her ability to cook from taste. Some days we use recipes for new ideas, but next time we usually do our rendition… cause it will usually be better. I am thankful for these skills and truly miss the joy I found from that space.
I started this ‘Cooking with Mom’ page to help find my way back to the kitchen, back to my beloved recipes, back finding the love and joy in the kitchen and opening our doors to those around us; just like she did.
As the days go on – these pages will fill with my favorite recipes, her favorites, new ones we try, ideas for meal prep, and anything you hope to see! I hope you enjoy sharing this journey with me and find a love in your happy place!
Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash
The Northwest Mad Hatter 