Norma Crum Arnett,
My mom, would be 89 today.
People who knew her, loved her.
She was one "Dandy Lady".
She made people feel as though they were her favorites and they were. She raised 10 children - the last few she raised on her own. She played the piano, taught piano, loved music and passed that love on to all ten children.
She baked bread. There I said it! And - she shared bread.
She was known for it, actually. If you needed a loaf of her bread and she knew it - then next time the bread was baked - you would get a loaf. You might need a loaf of Mom's bread if you had a new baby, or if someone you loved was hurt or had passed away, or you may have won the ball game, or may have lost the ball game. You might be suffering in a way that only you were aware of, and yet, a loaf of bread would show up. We were often called on to be the delivery service. If the bread was still warm - it would be delivered in a brown paper sack, but oh the aroma! Some people "knew" the bread baking schedule and had an uncanny way of showing up at mom's kitchen. Those folks were welcomed and sent on their way with bread and jam or honey as well. If you were at her funeral 11 years ago, you would have been given a little mini loaf (baked with love by Ron @ Whole Grains Bread Store - having been a recipient, himself, of the famous bread)as you departed along with a little message.*
So fast forward a few years and Emily asked if I would share Granny's bread recipe with her. She came over and we spent a few hours working on the art of baking bread. In a short time, she mastered it. She has had some remarkable experiences, where making and sharing "Granny"Bread had brought blessings to herself and many others, such experiences have caused them to call "Granny Bread" - "Miracle Bread".
She called last week and asked if today, on Granny's Birthday, she and I could make bread and share it. I was touched and motivated. She and Jacob did this in their neighborhood last year on Mom's birthday. They wanted to make this a continuing a tradition.
Very Cool.
So today we did. (We may have read to Jasper "The little Red Hen" as well)
The bread turned out kind of awesome. Mom would have been proud.
We hope the actually recipients enjoyed the bread and felt the love of a wonderful woman who gave of herself, and it put a smile on your face. Thanks Emily for a great day spent together and a reminder of the need to share and honoring a worthy example. I think I will make that my new tradition. Happy Birthday Mom! We love you and miss you. Heart Peg and Emily!
*No Half Loaf, This
Friendly were the words you said,
Tendering the loaf of bread,
Oven warm and savory;
How much that gesture meant to me.
Almost a stranger, lonely, too,
And gladdened by the sight of you.
I would repay you if I could.
Oh, yes, the bread was extra good.
(I’d like the recipe some day.)
But let me ask you, if I may,
How you acquired the finer art
Of nourishing the hungry heart?
I never had the knack somehow.
(I’d like that recipe right now.)
—
Virginia Newman
