Yesterday, my 12-year-old son turned to me and asked, "Mom, remember those raisins Grandma used to bring? The ones covered in chocolate? We should get those."
My jaw almost dropped.
My son was very young when my mother died -- just 5 -- and he has limited memories of her. The things he does remember, however, all seem to have to do with food.
When I thought about it, I realized that my own limited memories of my Scottish grandmother (besides her accent) also have to do with food -- particularly the orange slices she'd give us on a Sunday evening when we gathered to watch the Wonderful World of Disney show.
I was three when she died.
Food is an emotional thing, and it often evokes strong memories of people and places for each of us. My son's question, asked out of the blue, made me realize that food is its own kind of legacy. Was your grandmother constantly trying new recipes? Was your dad known for his homemade pizza?
All of this has made me wonder: What will my children think of when they remember me someday?
I know this: I don't want it to be, "Remember how mom always ate salad?"
Hopefully there's a good balance between chocolate raisins (which can't be so bad!) and salad.
I've been thinking about this a lot and actually posted on my own mother's "legacy" yesterday. Would love your thoughts.
http://foodfoodbodybody.wordpress.com/2010/07/11/farmers-market-with-mom/#comments
Posted by: Foodie McBody | 07/12/2010 at 08:14 AM
Interestingly, pretty much the only memory that I have of my grandfather, who passed when I was 5, was his apple orchards and him giving my sister and I paper sacks to go pick some. Food. My very, VERY first memory is from when I was 2 years old...getting fresh baked cookies from the old lady who lived next door to us...I even remember her name! I never really thought about it...I wonder if food just makes a bigger impression on youngsters...lol.
Posted by: Shauna | 07/12/2010 at 03:04 PM
Beautiful post, Dara. My childhood memories are often food-related, and to this day, food is a big component of my family life. Since we live all over the country, when we ARE together, we eat, we talk, we love --
I am pregnant and am *very* conscious about wanting to provide my daughter with a healthy outlook about food. Your book is going to come in handy for sure over the next few years! Great post.
Posted by: Melissa | 07/13/2010 at 10:31 AM
Since I don't have kids and likely won't have them I don't know or really care about my legacy.
I do remember my grandma Pavlick making cabbage rolls - and how much I HATE cabbage. LOL But she died when I was a teenager.
And though I wasn't born when it happened, I will always remember my mom's story about how my dad warped a cast iron skillet by trying to make grilled cheese for my brothers. You'd think a PhD chemist could cook - after all, in the end the two things are very much alike, you follow or make up a recipe - but somehow my dad, who's own mother made wonderful minced meat pies (according to my mom, I can't remember them), can burn ice water!
Posted by: Jami | 07/15/2010 at 06:52 PM
Wow...so interesting to read everyone's comments about the impact that food and food memories have had on them. Amazing how strong food memories tie us to the people in our lives who are no longer with us.
For the record, Jami, my mom used to make corned beef and cabbage a few times a year and I still feel nauseated when I smell cabbage!
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | 07/16/2010 at 06:22 AM