One of the great joys of living in the country is ambling down our long driveway then turning left to walk along our little country road. It’s barely wide enough for two cars to pass, but that’s okay because there are rarely two cars there at the same time.
There are hundreds upon hundreds of trees lining both sides of our country lane, and as you walk, there is always something to see. A rabbit hopping quickly across the road in front of you, a tree changing its colors from summer into fall, or maybe even random bones from some animal or another will all keep mind and eye entertained and occupied. And as you walk and watch, the smells are changing with the view… here, the neighbor is cutting grass, then the muskiness of an animal close by, or the smell of muddy creek water.
Last night, I had the privilege of walking with company. With the distraction of having another person there, I missed some of the usual sites and subtleties of the walks I love. However, on this special evening, I witnessed something better—unconditional love.
It was actually too cold to be walking outside, but the sun was shining and I was craving the walk so Nicholas and I went anyway. And, of course, Nic’s black Labrador, Lacey, followed along with us. We started slow as Nic brought along his rock crawler (RC truck), but I enjoyed watching him maneuver it in and out of the ditches, over rocks, and across gulleys. What I consider just a game, he takes very seriously. He’s planning his route as he goes and concentrating on ensuring that his truck makes it successfully over and through every hurdle.
I’m getting running commentary on what it takes for a vehicle to cross over a “mountain” without flipping backward, or how to back out of it if it looks like you might flip, or how to get your four wheel drive out of a deep mud hole without digging yourself in deeper. I’m pretty sure I won’t have the opportunity to put this knowledge to practical use, but I listened and I learned anyway.
When the batteries gave up on the rock crawler, Nicholas stashed it in the woods and we kept walking. This is the part I enjoy most because now he’s talking about his days and his feelings and his dreams. My heart doubles in size with my love for this 13 year old boy, then grows to almost breaking when I hear him say my name, “Momma.” Then he grabs my sleeve, pulls me to the other side of him, and places himself between me and the oncoming car. Unconditional love? For sure.
I had the pleasure of witness unconditional love again as Nicholas suddenly bolts into the edge of the trees, jumps across the creek bank, around a tree, back across the creek and sprints across a tree that has fallen across the bank. All the while, Lacey is following, just as Nic knows she will. They come out of the woods simultaneously, both jumping and happy and both knowing, unconditionally, that the other will be right there. It is amazing and a true blessing to witness that kind of love and devotion.
I’ve walked this road hundreds of times in the eight years we’ve lived here, but this was no ordinary walk. On this day, I heard the voice of God and it said to me that unconditional love is real and it is for me to give… and receive.
So, what could a family possibly have for dinner after such a special walk? Its breakfast for supper, of course. Growing up, breakfast for supper was always special to me. For whatever reason, it made me feel happy and secure and like all was right in the world. On this day, when I feel that all is right in my world, I’m feeding my family breakfast for supper with a side of unconditional love!
Pepper
Butter
Brown sugar
Prepared coffee
over biscuits with a spoonful of gravy over the top.
Recipe from: Georgia Hometown Cookbook
¼ cup margarine, softened
½ cup milk
Dash salt
Large dash sugar
Melted butter (optional)
Combine all ingredients, except melted butter, and pat to ½-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter or floured small glass. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 400° for about 15 minutes.Top with additional melted butter last 3 minutes of baking if desired.
Recipe from: Tennessee Hometown Cookbook
1 stick butter
1/2 cup half & half
4 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
Prepare grits per package directions. Add Velveeta, butter and half & half. Pour small amount of grits into eggs (so as not to "cook" eggs), and then return all to pan, stirring well.Add cayenne pepper. Place in 9x13-inch buttered dish and cover with foil; bake at 375° for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake 10 minutes. Serve warm.
Recipe from: Mississippi Hometown Cookbook
