My pap always made eggnog every Christmas. He made two huge bowls full. One for the kids, and one for the adults. The adult mix had a little extra “kick” in it that the kids weren’t allowed to have.
In my memory, I see pap out in the kitchen, with a towel wrapped around his waste. He has half gallons of vanilla ice cream sitting on the counter, along with vanilla extract, a few dozen eggs, the sugar tin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a few gallons of whole milk. We all loved it when Pap made eggnog. We’d all gather around the kitchen table just to watch. Once in a while, he’d let us add the milk or a few tablespoons of vanilla, or a few cups of sugar.
When pap made eggnog, it was a grand production. Most of the charm was the man who made it. He was entertaining. He had a great sense of humor. Everyone loved to be with him. He loved life, he loved people....he simply LOVED. And he had a hearty laugh.
After he made his concoction, it was time for the tasting. It was almost like a religious experience. We’d all gather around with a small cup. He’d dip his larger cup into the bowl and then pour a little into each of our cups to have a taste. He’d then taste it to see what more it needed. Then he’d go on to doctor it up a little more until he’d finally be satisfied with a perfect sip. Then he’d call it done.
At that moment, all the adults and the rest of the children would file in the kitchen to get their first official draught of eggnog for the holiday season. Often, there would be a toast to family or such, and down the hatch it would go. What fun times.
Pap is gone, but the eggnog tradition lives on. All the cousins who happen to get together for Christmas will make the “family recipe.” Now we can all have that little extra “kick” in ours. We all watched it being made so many times, the ingredients are written in our minds. Our pallets had tasted the “perfect batch” enough times that we know what to add to make it just right.
It’s fun to see the great grandchildren come to love this tradition as much as we did. They are also getting to taste a perfect batch. The perfect recipe is being written on their minds as they watch the preparations and taste the perfect sip. They are being inducted into the family tradition. Traditions are bonds that keep a family in tact. Traditions set us apart and make us unique.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
SWIMMING LESSONS-Persevering Resolve
I was seven when I had my first swimming lessons. My mother and father thought we should learn how to swim when we were young. The YMCA of Toccoa, Georgia was offering swimming lessons over a two week period. Mom and dad had to put some money out for this, but even with a limited budget, they made this a priority.
Just like all on-going classes, this one had “rumors” floating around it from by gone years. The older children who had taken the “beginners” class already, wanted to put a healthy scare into the younger children. They began to tell us that we’d better learn how to swim pretty quickly because the last Friday, the instructors would throw you into twelve feet whether you were ready or not. I don’t think they realized how much this paralyzed so many in the beginners class...or maybe they did.
I knew as soon as I heard the rumor that I would resolve to learn everything I could, every day we had lessons. I didn’t want to be thrown in and be helpless. I worked and worked and worked. I’d volunteer when the instructors wanted someone to illustrate a new concept. I was determined to learn. I was determined to swim.
The final day rolled around. There were many children standing around scared of the “final swim in twelve feet.” We were to swim across the pool one time. That is how one graduated from beginner to intermediate. I remember several children so traumatized that they were crying and clinging. Watching them tremble did put a bit of fear in all of us.
I remember praying every night about that final test. Somehow, with God’s help, I passed the class that day and moved on up to the next level. I have enjoyed a lifetime of swimming. Passing this test gave me the courage to develop my swimming skills even further. That sense of accomplishment is a driving force. In fact, swimming was my favorite summer time recreational activity for many years. I even went out for my YMCA lifeguards certificate in my middle school years.
It’s good to face your fears. It’s good to have dedication and determination. Sometimes that type of resolve is the only thing that conquers ones fears.
Just like all on-going classes, this one had “rumors” floating around it from by gone years. The older children who had taken the “beginners” class already, wanted to put a healthy scare into the younger children. They began to tell us that we’d better learn how to swim pretty quickly because the last Friday, the instructors would throw you into twelve feet whether you were ready or not. I don’t think they realized how much this paralyzed so many in the beginners class...or maybe they did.
I knew as soon as I heard the rumor that I would resolve to learn everything I could, every day we had lessons. I didn’t want to be thrown in and be helpless. I worked and worked and worked. I’d volunteer when the instructors wanted someone to illustrate a new concept. I was determined to learn. I was determined to swim.
The final day rolled around. There were many children standing around scared of the “final swim in twelve feet.” We were to swim across the pool one time. That is how one graduated from beginner to intermediate. I remember several children so traumatized that they were crying and clinging. Watching them tremble did put a bit of fear in all of us.
I remember praying every night about that final test. Somehow, with God’s help, I passed the class that day and moved on up to the next level. I have enjoyed a lifetime of swimming. Passing this test gave me the courage to develop my swimming skills even further. That sense of accomplishment is a driving force. In fact, swimming was my favorite summer time recreational activity for many years. I even went out for my YMCA lifeguards certificate in my middle school years.
It’s good to face your fears. It’s good to have dedication and determination. Sometimes that type of resolve is the only thing that conquers ones fears.
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