There are times when I'm flooded with memories. They can be triggered by a sight, sound, smell or taste. In this busy season my schedule is full and my senses are overloaded.
I love the moments when the memories don't come right away and I actually have to pause to seek their origin to find the person or place or food. The holiday season is one of connectedness for me. I am linked to my community and my family, the past and the present like at no other time of year. The busyness seems to expand with the desire to reach out with good tidings.
I've been thinking about traditions and how rigid I can be about getting my way with some and how odd it feels when something is just slightly different than I expected. I expect the same tastes and scents and when something is missing it is hard to find a substitute.
At a recent event I looked at the selection of desserts and I wanted the one I've come to expect at that place and time. The baker had tried something new and I didn't get the lovely pumpkin marvel with pecan topping I enjoy so much. The other desserts were good but I had expected a particular taste.
When Mom doesn't make the cabbage rolls and Grandma doesn't make the dressing, I can tell. The meal is still wonderful but my sensory memories are so strong I can tell when something is slightly different. I love the new recipes and delicious experiments, but the traditional flavours stay in my memory for a reason.
Some of the treats are forgotten, a family member may have made them for a few years but then moved onto something else. Last week at a community event there were rosette cookies on the table, I hadn't had one in years and as the icing sugar fell from the delicate pastry I pictured the iron and the pot of boiling oil.
Last year I bought a decorated tree and the old boxes of decorations sat in the basement. This year I wondered if the theme would be maintained, but as my children pulled out the decorations in mismatched colours and the handmade baubles they were delighted as they found a place for every new and carefully colour co-ordinated piece and every well-loved treasure. It is the most beautiful tree I have ever seen covered in sparkling lights and links to many memories.
