Recipes

Cynthia

A friend sent me the most delightful recipe.  It was an easy but elegant appetizer designed for the winter holiday season but could easily be offered all year around. I was struck by not only the fact that she would take the time to mail something to me, but that she was aware of my delight in cooking.

This gesture reminded me of my early-married days. People would start chain letters with various reasons to participate. One such chain was the Recipe Share. I received a recipe in the mail, along with the letter that encouraged me to send one of my favorite recipes to the top five people on the list. I was to add my name to the bottom of the list, and if memory serves me, to send the “new” letter to five or ten of my friends. The idea was that eventually I would receive hundreds of recipes from people I may or may not know. The idea was fun. Yet, I never received additional recipes.

Those days of sharing recipes, clipping coupons, and taking cookies to the park to share with children of other mothers who were needing adult companionship have long since gone. Women entered the workforce, eliminating the ability to have “friend time” during the day. Fewer people cooked at home. Children attended day care or joined after school programs. Email replaced letters and cards.

Yet, now in my retirement, I find I delight in receiving a recipe in the mail. And I have time to whip it up and share with a friend. After all these years, women still enjoy sharing their love through their recipes.