Tonight I made chocolate cupcakes for a baby shower that I'm helping give tomorrow. As I dumped the ingredients into my silver mixing bowl I thought once again, as I always do, of Mrs. Gillespie. Madeline Gillespie is my best friend Carla's mother. Carla's family was like a second family to me when I was growing up. "Mr. and Mrs. G" as I now call them, were the perfect couple in my book. Especially back then, when my parents were divorced and my "real" life was pretty confusing. They accepted me into their home with open arms, and treated me like a daughter. I must admit that back then I daydreamed about them being my parents. They had a beautiful home, a good marriage, and were strong Christians. Of course my mother was wonderful, but I envied Carla's life and complete family. When I married, Mrs. G. did many things for me, like make my wedding cake right in her own kitchen. She is one of the smartest women I have ever known. For years she taught high school science, yet spent her "free" time sewing, baking, and making crafts. I always felt she really missed her true calling - that of a doctor. She certainly had the ability and compassion. And when I say she "baked" let me clarify. She would have homemade bread just out of the oven for our Sunday dinner after church. Now that I'm grown I have to wonder, 'how'd she do that?" She would make those sugar Easter eggs with delicate icing figurines. Again, when did she have time for that? I watched her use her Kitchen Aid mixer many, many times in her neat kitchen. She taught Carla and I how to make homemade jam one summer. And bless her heart, she tried to teach us to sew but we had boys on our mind and just didn't want to fool with that. I regret that now, but I don't think I would of been very good at it anyway. I did make one sundress, and somehow I made it so big, way too big, that I wound up giving it to one of my friends who was pregnant! ;0)
Mr. G. was quiet but kind. I remember he loved ice cream and cantaloupe - together! He clearly loved his family and was strong and smart. At the time - he was the only real Christian man that I knew. I really didn't believe there were any truly good men until I met him. To say I respected him is a huge understatement. Don't get me wrong; I know these folks aren't perfect. They had pain and loss and problems over the years just like everyone else. But they were so good to me and they really didn't have to be. They chose to let me in there life and I will be forever grateful.
Mr. and Mrs. G also gave Wayne and I a Kitchen Aid mixer as a wedding gift. We celebrated 30 years of marriage this past November and yes, we still have the same mixer and I use it practically every day. Still. Many, many years ago it went on the blink and we took it to Byron and had the engine rebuilt. Since then it runs like a charm. When I think of all the cakes, cookies, sweet potato soufflés, mashed potatoes, and egg white meringues I have whipped up in the past 30 years! And each and every time I use it I think of Mrs. G. I will NEVER be the wonderful cook that she is. But I do make things with love for my family and friends. I know Mr. and Mrs. G love me and I remember that every time I use that mixer. It was quite the extravagant gift back in 1979 and is still a treasure to me all these years later. I don't get to see Mr. and Mrs. G these days as much as I would like to. However, I know they love me and I hope they know how much I love and appreciate them. Some things you just never forget. For me, it just takes mixing up some batter.
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