Every Friday hundreds of writers around the world join together to write freely for 5 minutes. Just 5 minutes, based on a single word prompt. No editing, no perfectionism – just writing from the heart. So, thought it’d be fun to join in.
Today’s word is: GLUE
Easter memories… That’s what’s on my mind as I prepare to head home this weekend to spend Easter with my Dad.
As a child, we spent every Easter – and Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Father’s Days, birthdays, anniversaries and every other holiday in between – gathered at my grandparent’s house. The whole family – aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws. It was the place everyone wanted to be. Home.
My grandparents were the glue that held the family together. Their house was our central gathering place and they made it home for all of us. The familiarity of being with the extended family to celebrate key milestones and events throughout the year. The menu of favorites – Aunt Ella’s green beans, my mother’s dressing, my other grandmother’s pecan pie, Kak’s ham and roast, the fruit salad with whipped cream that my Dad loved. My granddad or my dad praying over every family meal. The familiar pattern of it all.
I miss those days. Our family is smaller now and scattered across different cities. Holidays are spent in different places each year – one year with my family, one with my husband’s family, some at home. Some with lots of cousins and some with none.
What will be the glue for my children? What will stitch together their definition of family? What will be familiar and special in their memories of the holidays?
Different isn’t always bad, it’s just different. My children will have different memories, different impressions of family and holidays. That’s OK. We’ll make new memories and find new glue for our family. I just want for them to have that glue, those special family times, the memories that warm your heart. I certainly do and I’m grateful for my family and all the love that was shared.

Easter 1982 – our Family

Easter Lunch 1982. I’m sitting in Padad’s lap, with Kak standing next to me. (yes, I’m in the hat)

Easter 1983 – the year I got a live bunny. “It won’t live more than a month or two”, Dad assured my Mom. But Marshmallow grew to be an enormous rabbit and lived probably 7 years!

Easter in 1987 with my cousins. One last easter egg hunt at my grandparents house.

Five Minute Friday: GLUE – Prayer & Possibilities
Every Friday hundreds of writers around the world join together to write freely for 5 minutes. Just 5 minutes, based on a single word prompt. No editing, no perfectionism – just writing from the heart. So, thought it’d be fun to join in.
Today’s word is: GLUE
Easter memories… That’s what’s on my mind as I prepare to head home this weekend to spend Easter with my Dad.
As a child, we spent every Easter – and Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Father’s Days, birthdays, anniversaries and every other holiday in between – gathered at my grandparent’s house. The whole family – aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws. It was the place everyone wanted to be. Home.
My grandparents were the glue that held the family together. Their house was our central gathering place and they made it home for all of us. The familiarity of being with the extended family to celebrate key milestones and events throughout the year. The menu of favorites – Aunt Ella’s green beans, my mother’s dressing, my other grandmother’s pecan pie, Kak’s ham and roast, the fruit salad with whipped cream that my Dad loved. My granddad or my dad praying over every family meal. The familiar pattern of it all.
I miss those days. Our family is smaller now and scattered across different cities. Holidays are spent in different places each year – one year with my family, one with my husband’s family, some at home. Some with lots of cousins and some with none.
What will be the glue for my children? What will stitch together their definition of family? What will be familiar and special in their memories of the holidays?
Different isn’t always bad, it’s just different. My children will have different memories, different impressions of family and holidays. That’s OK. We’ll make new memories and find new glue for our family. I just want for them to have that glue, those special family times, the memories that warm your heart. I certainly do and I’m grateful for my family and all the love that was shared.
Easter 1982 – our Family
Easter Lunch 1982. I’m sitting in Padad’s lap, with Kak standing next to me. (yes, I’m in the hat)
Easter 1983 – the year I got a live bunny. “It won’t live more than a month or two”, Dad assured my Mom. But Marshmallow grew to be an enormous rabbit and lived probably 7 years!
Easter in 1987 with my cousins. One last easter egg hunt at my grandparents house.