Can We Talk 2

Memorable Moments

         With no children of my own, I place a lot of importance on my great nieces and nephews. I've tried to make memorable moments by baking and decorating cookies. Or going places with them, or special games.

         On Thanksgiving Day, the ten-year-old didn't feel well and was lounging on the couch next to my niece. She told me he had told her that one Thanksgiving, he spent the night before at my house, then on Thanksgiving Day, he got up and helped me cook the turkey. I know he was using that story to be able to help his stepfather deep fry the turkey this year. He has always liked to cook; so did his late father.

         I can't remember the incident. It was nothing planned or elaborate. He usually got up early when he stayed, which has only happened once since he got a stepfather. He was probably 5 or 6 at the time. I can't imagine that he was a lot of help. He probably watched everything. I would have prepped the turkey the day before and have it in the refrigerator. I may have called him in to peak under the foil to check for brownness or something like that. But to him, it was a big deal and he remembered it.

         We try so hard with the big moments, but it's the little things they remember. Parents spend a lot of time with their kids, grandparents maybe a little less. Great aunts and uncles don't get many opportunities. I had great aunts who were very dear to me and have big places in my memories. Maybe small gestures are all they need to remember you.