Recently I had a Bapka kind of day. You know, the kind of day when memories are made that will make permanent impressions.
The good kind, I think.
It was Mother's Day - first of all. Which is a great day for memories all by itself. Church and flowers and lots of hugs from all sorts of places.
But Bapkas aren't just for hugs and kisses in church. We have this other layer of attention to give and receive.
When I was growing up my Grandma's house was the place to be when this or that had you under the weather. Whether it was strep throat or mumps or a bad cold or stomach aches - Grandma could somehow make it better. I don't know how she never seemed to get sick herself with every sick person in 100 miles arriving at her door, but she didn't.
She always had a bowl of chicken soup and ice cream ready just in case.
Even better, Grandma somehow could fix the ailments of the heart variety. I can't tell you how many times I came in on conversations between Grandma and some heartbroken soul sorting through a difficulty. More than once the cares of the world were tossed onto Grandma's table, sorted through like buttons from the tin, properly arranged and solved. Grandma always seemed to have the right words.
And the right amount of coffee and cake.
At the end of the counseling, the patient would leave and Grandma would pick up the tablecloth and toss out the cares with the crumbs into the wind in the back yard.
I want my house to be like that. A place where laughter and tears are equally comfortable. Grandma taught me we are in this world to help one another - large and small.
I'm sorry Arthur was sick on Mother's Day. I know how much he enjoys the bustle and activity of his other Grandma's farm, but I'm so very glad for him - and me - that Bapka's house was here. A bit of quiet, a couple of movies, some ice cream and his temps were lower, his throat not as sore and both of us with a heart full at the end of the day.
I may not always have the right words and my chicken soup might carry the Campbell's label, but I'll do my best to minister grace just like Grandma. Bapka's house is open for business!
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Readers - I will be at a book signing event in Chippewa Falls on Saturday, May 26 from 11:00 to 3:00. The Book Cellar - the only bookstore in Chippewa County - is hosting the event. Please stop by and see us! More information can be found here: The Book Cellar.
Books can also be ordered at the webstore on our website at: A Writer's Pages.
Thanks for being the best readers ever!
- Kris
The good kind, I think.
It was Mother's Day - first of all. Which is a great day for memories all by itself. Church and flowers and lots of hugs from all sorts of places.
But Bapkas aren't just for hugs and kisses in church. We have this other layer of attention to give and receive.
When I was growing up my Grandma's house was the place to be when this or that had you under the weather. Whether it was strep throat or mumps or a bad cold or stomach aches - Grandma could somehow make it better. I don't know how she never seemed to get sick herself with every sick person in 100 miles arriving at her door, but she didn't.
She always had a bowl of chicken soup and ice cream ready just in case.
Even better, Grandma somehow could fix the ailments of the heart variety. I can't tell you how many times I came in on conversations between Grandma and some heartbroken soul sorting through a difficulty. More than once the cares of the world were tossed onto Grandma's table, sorted through like buttons from the tin, properly arranged and solved. Grandma always seemed to have the right words.
And the right amount of coffee and cake.
At the end of the counseling, the patient would leave and Grandma would pick up the tablecloth and toss out the cares with the crumbs into the wind in the back yard.
I want my house to be like that. A place where laughter and tears are equally comfortable. Grandma taught me we are in this world to help one another - large and small.
I'm sorry Arthur was sick on Mother's Day. I know how much he enjoys the bustle and activity of his other Grandma's farm, but I'm so very glad for him - and me - that Bapka's house was here. A bit of quiet, a couple of movies, some ice cream and his temps were lower, his throat not as sore and both of us with a heart full at the end of the day.
I may not always have the right words and my chicken soup might carry the Campbell's label, but I'll do my best to minister grace just like Grandma. Bapka's house is open for business!
===============
Readers - I will be at a book signing event in Chippewa Falls on Saturday, May 26 from 11:00 to 3:00. The Book Cellar - the only bookstore in Chippewa County - is hosting the event. Please stop by and see us! More information can be found here: The Book Cellar.
Books can also be ordered at the webstore on our website at: A Writer's Pages.
Thanks for being the best readers ever!
- Kris
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