A Cascade of Love
by Sumita Basu
(Portland, OR, USA)
Cascade of Love
A CASCADE OF LOVE & SUGAR ROSES
Those of us fortunate enough to have experienced Grandma's love will know what I am about to pen down here.
It's one of the most amazing experiences in a lifetime that carries through. The story-times, the special gifts, the warm hugs, the aroma of Grandma's delicious food and the countless blessings are always some of the warmest and most comforting memories...
A New Perspective
As a mother, I now see that time spent with grandma translates to a whole new set of rules, little or no self control over sweet treats and mild discipline at best. Very different perspective for my mother who is now a grandmother herself!
My childhood was spent in another country.
I often reminisce about the days spent in my grandmother's home...waking up to the aroma of comforting food, going out with her to the garden to pick fresh flowers for the house and snuggling with her for story time. More than 3 decades have passed but I still remember everything so vividly. Perhaps because she touched my heart in more ways than one.
Grandma's 80th Birthday Cake
My grandmother celebrated her 80th birthday a few years back. Time has taken a toll on her health. She can no longer cook or garden. Nor can she remember all the memories of the past.
But despite the age and failing health, she has not lost the love in her voice or the concern for her grandkids.This cake was a first for me with fondant decorations and was handcrafted to honor her on her 80th birthday. The cake flavor was a mellow lemon with apricot-pineapple preserve as the filling.
Edible roses were hand-made with fondant one by one to honor the love and patience that she and all grandmothers symbolize all over the world.They say, anything in excess is never good.
I BELIEVE THERE IS ONE EXCEPTION. Abundant doses of a grandmothers love teaches kids freedom from structure, how to laugh at imperfections and how to take the time to stop and smell the roses. No one has more patience than a grandmother. She is here on earth to serve a special purpose: to cascade love all the way!
