Tag: memories

Memories are Made of These

By Kathy Pollard

Today is our youngest son’s birthday. Last year he requested “Butterfinger Dessert,” as he’s done for many of his birthdays. As I assembled the layers (it resembles a trifle of sorts), I smiled. Most people would probably serve this dessert in a clear bowl or a trifle dish to show off the layers. But I always serve it in an oversized stainless steel bowl. There’s a reason for that.

About twenty years ago when the boys were young, our family worshipped with a congregation in Neosho, MO, and we stayed for their potluck. That’s where I tried that dessert for the first time and was able to obtain the recipe. It quickly became an oft-requested family favorite. The first time I made it I didn’t own a trifle dish and ended up using the stainless steel bowl.

Now that our boys are grown, I learned something about sentimental traditions:  you don’t mess with them.

You see, a couple of years ago this same youngest son requested a Deep Dark Chocolate Cake for his birthday dessert (another family favorite). I made it for him but he surprised me by saying, “Don’t you usually serve this cake chilled?” I said that I’d just made it so I didn’t need to chill it. He said, “Oh. I just remember this cake being cold.” That’s when I learned that he didn’t just pick a cake for his birthday, he picked a memory. I explained to him that when he was growing up, that was usually a company cake. I would make it the day before to cut down on the work needed the day of having company over. So I’d put it in the fridge and that’s why he remembers it being cold. 

Now I know to chill that cake for birthdays because it’s not so much about the chocolately goodness as it is about recreating a memory. I was delighted to discover that just a small detail could bring back a fond memory for my son.

Isn’t it amazing that as your children are growing up, you are creating special memories without even realizing it?

They don’t have to involve party planners or lots of money or great big adventures. Just regular things you do often in your own unique home. The simple choices you make regularly (like chilling a chocolate cake or serving a dessert in the same stainless steel bowl every time) form the reliable, this-is-our-family moments that become your very own traditions.

Some family traditions are very intentional (nightly devotionals, pizza and games on Fridays, etc.), but many of them happen without you realizing it. Until your grownup kid asks for a Deep Dark Chocolate cake for his birthday.

*Look up “Hershey’s Deep Dark Chocolate Cake” to find the recipe online.

*Here is the recipe for Butterfinger Dessert:

8 Butterfingers, crushed (easier to crush if frozen first)
1 box yellow cake mix, prepared per instructions and cooled
1 container Cool Whip (regular size)
1 (8 oz) cream cheese, room temp
3/4 box powdered sugar (I only ever have powdered sugar in a bag and just guess the amount. ha)
1 box instant vanilla pudding, prepared per instructions

Beat cream cheese until very smooth. Mix in prepared pudding and powdered sugar. Fold in cool whip. Put this filling in the fridge to set up.

Tear cake into chunks.

Layer cake chunks, filling mix, and Butterfinger crumbs in serving bowl. I usually end up with 3 layers of each. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

First time Carl asked for Butterfinger Dessert for his birthday!






Revive Me #5, Sing On!

Revive Me, Week 5–a Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord

Sing On!

“It thrills my soul to hear the songs of praise…”  The blessings of singing in worship are many.  The words lift our hearts above the troubles of this world.  The songs themselves often recall precious memories of people or events.  Singing with the saints draws us closer together.  And did you know that the very act of singing is a natural mood lifter?

Singing was a special part of my upbringing.  I recall singing with my family in the car and  singing with my sister while washing dishes.  Certain songs remind me of my dad’s tenor or my grandma’s alto.  As Neal and I brought up our three sons, singing was always a part of our evening devotionals.  Now that most of our days and evenings are spent without our sons, I find myself singing less.

Today we had a “5th Sunday Singing.”  Members from surrounding congregations came together this afternoon for the sheer pleasure of praising God in song.  I was struck by the words to one of the songs:

“The greatest joy that I have ever known, is praising Him in song,

I know some day, when I have older grown, my voice will not be strong.”

(“The New Song” by J. R. Baxter, Jr.)

Right then I started listening to Neal’s strong tenor and wondered what it will be like to hear him in another twenty years.  I imagine his shaky voice will still carry conviction and will still move me.  And so, here is this week’s “Revive Me” challenge:  sing on.  Sing more.  Yes, sing out in worship and in your family devotionals, but also in the car, in your kitchen, and while you’re doing laundry.  Sing with your children and with your husband.  Sing by yourself.  Let those around you see (hear) your joy.  Express the song in your heart.  There is gloom in the world but there’s a call for rejoicing for every child of God.  I don’t know how I’ve gotten away from it but I’m determined to sing more for as long as I can, before “my voice will not be strong.”

“Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones;

praise is becoming to the upright” (Psa. 33:1).

Suggestions for the Week:

  1.  Go through the songbook and sing songs you haven’t sung in a while.
  2.  Enjoy songs that convict or touch your personal spiritual need.
  3.  Choose a psalm or psalms and create your own tune to the words.  This would be fun to do as a family.
  4.  Remember why singing is a good idea:  Psa. 9:11; 96:1,2; 104:33; 147:1; Eph. 5:19,20; Col. 3:16; James 5:13; Acts 16:25.
  5.  Go through the Psalms and highlight the ones that have to do with singing.
  6.  Do the Bible-marking on “Songs from Scripture.”

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