March 5, in the Nook Book store Do you ever think back? Way back? No, I’m not talking college or high school or even junior high. I mean way back to the days when you were a fresh-faced, dewy-eyed little tot. Around 5 years old.
Prompted by an exciting book project I've been working on, I recently asked myself this question: What do you miss about being 5 years old? That query is one of four posed to writers who agreed to be part of Write for the Fight: A Collection of Seasonal Essays. Set for release on March 5 by Booktrope Publishing, the book is called Write for the Fight because all writer royalties will be donated to benefit breast cancer research. While I'm not one of the 13 writers in this anthology, I was asked to serve as editor for the book. And I relished reading the touching and inspiring entries, which answered the question above, along with these three:
• What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
• What is left on your life list to do?
• What do you want people to say about you on your 80th birthday?
The book will be arranged by the seasons of the year, with each season representing a different stage of life. Followers of this blog may recall that I answered question #2 (which represents the summer season of life) in a recent guest post (Dear Diane at 20) on Tess Hardwick's blog, Inspiration for Ordinary Life. In fact, Tess is co-author of the upcoming book, along with blogger and writer Tracey Hansen. Inspired by reading the collection of essays in Write for the Fight, today I'm answering question #1: What do you miss about being 5 years old? I've explored the deep recesses of my mind and discovered a fond memory ... a memory that made me smile. Perhaps it will bring a smile to your face as well.
Prompted by an exciting book project I've been working on, I recently asked myself this question: What do you miss about being 5 years old? That query is one of four posed to writers who agreed to be part of Write for the Fight: A Collection of Seasonal Essays. Set for release on March 5 by Booktrope Publishing, the book is called Write for the Fight because all writer royalties will be donated to benefit breast cancer research. While I'm not one of the 13 writers in this anthology, I was asked to serve as editor for the book. And I relished reading the touching and inspiring entries, which answered the question above, along with these three:
• What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
• What is left on your life list to do?
• What do you want people to say about you on your 80th birthday?
The book will be arranged by the seasons of the year, with each season representing a different stage of life. Followers of this blog may recall that I answered question #2 (which represents the summer season of life) in a recent guest post (Dear Diane at 20) on Tess Hardwick's blog, Inspiration for Ordinary Life. In fact, Tess is co-author of the upcoming book, along with blogger and writer Tracey Hansen. Inspired by reading the collection of essays in Write for the Fight, today I'm answering question #1: What do you miss about being 5 years old? I've explored the deep recesses of my mind and discovered a fond memory ... a memory that made me smile. Perhaps it will bring a smile to your face as well.
* * *
Winter magic in the spring of life ... the joy of being 5
Buttered toast. Just add sugar. Some of the hazy images of my early childhood are of simple things: cartoons on Saturday mornings (I loved Felix the Cat) and climbing into the hayloft of a neighbor’s barn with my cousins who lived nearby. And it was the simple-yet-special memory of a winter tradition in our home that brought a bittersweet smile to my face. The memory? My mother’s famous delicacy: butter-and-sugar toast.
I know … it doesn’t sound like anything truly spectacular, but when Mom would suggest our favorite treat on a cold Saturday morning — or, better yet, a snow day! — effusive joy filled our house. Eagerly, my brother and I would belly up to the kitchen table and wait as Mom took the warm bread from the toaster. We would watch as she spread the butter, which quickly began to melt into warm gooeyness. And then, the pièce de résistance: we were allowed to sprinkle sugar on top before biting into our scrumptious treat. A huge gulp from a glass of cold milk was always ready to wash it down.
Even then, I don’t think it was the sensory pleasure of this yummy treat that made me love it so much. It was more the fact that we shared it together. It was our special tradition, our moment, our memory to hold until the next time we performed our little ritual. It was the love that filled that cozy kitchen and the warmth of my mother’s heart that turned the simple into the spectacular. Mom’s special toast was like winter magic … because it was made with love.
And now, I think I’m overdue for some winter magic. Could you please pass the sugar?
Do you have special traditions that you remember from childhood? Feel free to share your memories in the Comments.
Note: For the first month, Write For the Fight will be available exclusively as a Barnes & Noble NOOK Book. After that, both print and e-books will be available through BN.com, Amazon and other online booksellers. Remember, writer royalties benefit breast cancer research.
I know … it doesn’t sound like anything truly spectacular, but when Mom would suggest our favorite treat on a cold Saturday morning — or, better yet, a snow day! — effusive joy filled our house. Eagerly, my brother and I would belly up to the kitchen table and wait as Mom took the warm bread from the toaster. We would watch as she spread the butter, which quickly began to melt into warm gooeyness. And then, the pièce de résistance: we were allowed to sprinkle sugar on top before biting into our scrumptious treat. A huge gulp from a glass of cold milk was always ready to wash it down.
Even then, I don’t think it was the sensory pleasure of this yummy treat that made me love it so much. It was more the fact that we shared it together. It was our special tradition, our moment, our memory to hold until the next time we performed our little ritual. It was the love that filled that cozy kitchen and the warmth of my mother’s heart that turned the simple into the spectacular. Mom’s special toast was like winter magic … because it was made with love.
And now, I think I’m overdue for some winter magic. Could you please pass the sugar?
Do you have special traditions that you remember from childhood? Feel free to share your memories in the Comments.
Note: For the first month, Write For the Fight will be available exclusively as a Barnes & Noble NOOK Book. After that, both print and e-books will be available through BN.com, Amazon and other online booksellers. Remember, writer royalties benefit breast cancer research.
