People measure their years. Most measure from January 1 to December 31. As a teacher, I also measure my years from September to August. Or in seasons. Dance season. Soccer season. This weekend, I measure it in applesauce.
Every fall, we make homemade applesauce. Mom has done it for as long as I can remember. When Dad got home from work, he would jump in and help. Then, for a few years, while we were young adults, the applesauce stopped because it was't eaten all that often. But it began again once we were married. I started helping Mom and Dad on a Saturday so we coud do it together. Then the kids came around and all the grandchildren LOVED homemade applesauce. Wouldn't eat anything else. So it became a tradition that every fall, Dad would get the apples, Mom, Dad and I would make the applesauce and we would enjoy it all year. Several years ago, Annette came down to help too, and took several containers home each time she visited.
Yesterday was applesauce day once again. Dad got the apples and we made buckets full of sauce. It is a great tradition. We drink coffee and cook apples, get take-out lunch and grind apples. Add the sugar and cinnamon and taste-test it. Try to find all the matching lids for the multitude of weird shaped containers. It's a fun and productive day.
As I rinsed the containers, I thought of all the years of applesauce those containers have seen. Mom probably cooked a wonderful meal and opened some of those containers herself. Annette helped fill some of those containers in years gone by. Those containers saw many holidays and special occasions over the years. We've opened a container each and every week over the last two years when we shared a meal with Dad. Those meals have comforted us in our two years of grief.
We are now in a new chapter of applesauce making, new houses, new faces to enjoy it with us. We are missing a part of the tradition. I felt some sadness while rinsing those containers. Missing the times of years gone by. Missing the company of Annette and Mom. But, we have also added new parts to our tradition. Sara helped wash apples. Menny ran for sugar and helped clean up and did the dreaded job of washing the floor after (thanks, Menny!) That is the great thing about traditions. They can change and blend, but they are still traditions.
I know that we will be blessed this year by our hard work yesterday. I know we will enjoy our applesauce in the company of family. It is good.
6 comments:
What a glorious tradition. We have done the same thing here, from my Great-grandmother on down to me. I still have her old metal cone and wooden mallet [I think that is what you would call it] that we all took turns grinding the cooked apples in....and watching the sauce oooozzze down into the pot for the next step of mixing.
Lisa, you post brought tears to my eyes, as you expressed so much love for your Mother and sister and then the embracing of how the tradition is continuing and changing.....what a beautiful tradtion.
I've been thinking about Annette all weekend, as it was a year ago that we all pilgramiged to Indiana to celebrate Annette, Life, Friendship and our children.
Hugs to you.....and now I'm hungry for some homemade appelsauce!!!!
Lisa thank you for sharing your beautiful family. Annette was so amazing at sharing herself and inspiring those of who were blessed to know her. Now you are carrying on that tradition as well. I only hope that when one of my sisters leaves me that I can continue to bless those around me by celebrating life. I know that is what Annette would want of us.
Much love, Nicole
great stuff Lisa, I can relate somewhat since my mom makes great applesauce, but I have never taken the time to do it with her. I think you have inspired me to ask her to teach me. love ya baby!
Marlene
Touching article about tradition and how it continues yet changes. Beautiful. I think of Annette and you and your familes often. All my best.
That was truly beautiful Lisa. I too have been thinking about Annette, as I also had the pleasure of meeting her in Indiana last year.
You know, I think you should publish this. I think it would help a lot of people.
Hugs,
Stephanie (Katie's mom)
We're making applesauce at our house, too...
xo
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