“And the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
I am thankful today for the wonderful smells of my childhood. That may sound strange. I am referring to the aromatic scents from my mother’s and grandmothers’ kitchens. The smell of pilaf cooking on the stove. Bierocks (German from Russia meat pies) baking in the oven. Chicken noodle soup boiling in the oven. Freshly cooked dolma (Armenian stuffed grape leaves).
The smell of love. My mothers and grandmothers expressed their love through meals. They cooked delicious meals for their families. My grandmothers always made sure to stock my favorite treats. My mother made birthday cakes from scratch. My maternal grandmother also made my sister's and my birthday cakes from scratch. We received two birthday cakes every year. One cake was for the family dinner, and the other was for us.
I am thankful for the affection I received. When my mom dropped us off somewhere when we were kids, she always kissed us on the cheek. As a teenager, it embarrassed me. However, now I look back and say, “Thank you, God, for a loving mother!” I always knew my mama loved me. That is a valuable gift that I carry around in my adult years.
My mother learned to be affectionate with her parents. Her father, my beloved Papa Steve, would always kiss us on the cheek and say, “I duv you.” That was his silly way of saying, “I love you.” He died decades ago, but I still feel his love. My grandmother always cuddled us on her lap when we were children. I also still feel her love.
There was abuse and trauma in my childhood, but there was also love. Today, I focus on love. I am so thankful for the love shown to me throughout my childhood. My family taught me how to love. I can show love to others because I know love. What a gift. It’s the foundation I build my life upon.
Love is not complicated, but we make it so. The Apostle Paul makes it quite clear what love is in his letter to the church at Corinth:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
What were the good memories of your childhood? Who loved you? Today, take a moment and write down the answers to both questions. Take the time for a few minutes of gratitude and develop an attitude of gratitude.
What are you grateful for today? Drop a comment below and let us know.
Resources
Gratitude Journal: Count your blessings and enjoy better health and happiness
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I’m grateful for a wonderful family I married into. We spent the day with my husband’s side of the family and it felt good to be with them!
We go to the cemetery every Sunday to visit my dad