by Tara Pringle Jefferson
I was looking through my Sylvia’s cookbook (you know, the soul food queen) to get some nice comforting soul food recipes for the upcoming holiday season. I love this cookbook because it is truly a FAMILY cookbook. Sprinkled throughout the recipes are photos of the early years of Sylvia’s marriage to her husband Herbert, the growing of their family with their four kids, and countless photos of extended family and family friends. I love reading the love story of Sylvia and her husband, who were married for more than 50 years before her husband passed a few years ago.
This intro to a Southern breakfast recipe pretty much sums up how fabulous this couple was:
“After more than 50 years of marriage, we still dote on each other just like when we kept company in South Carolina. One thing Herbert does for me every single day is make me breakfast in bed. Sometimes, in the morning when I’m sleeping, I’ll feel something tickling my nose. It’s Herbert, trying to wake me up by tapping me with a flower he’s picked from the garden, still a little bit wet with dew, or with a piece of fruit from the breakfast tray. Believe me, I know how lucky we are to have each other….”
Can you believe that? EVERY SINGLE DAY he made her breakfast in bed. Now let’s see – they had four kids, were running a restaurant, had other commitments outside of work and they still found time to treat each other like queens and kings.
Even though my kids are too young to understand this, I read that passage out loud to them anyway. I want that type of love to be modeled in our home and I want them to go out in the world find that type of love for themselves.
Are you doing the best you can to set that example of love and devotion in your home?
Tara Pringle Jefferson is a freelance writer living in Ohio with her husband and two children. Visit her blog, www.theyoungmommylife.com, to read more of her observations about life, motherhood and love.
{ 5 comments }
Wow! That is a accomplishment that this man has made her breakfast in bed EVERY SINGLE DAY! I can’t even wrap my mind around it let alone do it.
I know I’m lucky because Mr. CS always takes my coat and satchel whenever he beats me home. Now matter where he is, if he hears the door he’ll come meet me and my coat and bag as we discuss our day to each other. I know for some people its not a big deal but for me it is.
I was disappointed in myself because he’s been doing it for about a year now (it just started randomly) and I never really took notice of it until a few weeks ago when he went to a late meeting and wasn’t home before me. I was hanging up my own coat when I finally noticed it. I promised myself then and there to thank him every time he does it and to let him know how much I appreciate the gesture.
I really am blessed. Great post Tara.
.-= CS´s last blog ..Let It Snow…Let It Snow…Let It Snow =-.
What a wonderful story! Makes me appreciate my hubby even more.
Yes! I do.
I have had the pleasure to get out of my zip code a time or two. I did have a meal at Sylvia’s. I love this post. I think that hubby and I do set an example for our kids to learn from. I am trying to think of one thing my hubby does for me(us) that stands out the most and I can’t think of one, because there are so many. I stepped away from the compter for a 1/2 hour to watch tv. I can say that hubby and I do not close a door to have a debate just because the kids are here. We do debate in front of the kids and to me it just shows them that anything and everything can be worked out, and that it’s ok to have your own opinion. I don’t get breakfast in bed, nor would I want it. Not that I don’t think I don’t deserve it. Hubby makes breakfast at 5: am.. He does leave food for us in a warm oven(and it’s there when we wake up). I want this cook book. I will buy it as a gift for “our home’.
I would have to agree. This is the best cookbook!
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