My sister, Angel, gave me several boxes of canning jars this summer. Today I was making some Hot Pickled Mix and got out some of those jars. This was one of them. The labels says FROM THE KITCHEN OF Ma Fletcher CONTENTS Sweet Pickled Peppers DATE 9/84. This gesture from the past made my heart sing.
I love canning and I love it for many reasons. One of them is because of the long history of generation after generation of women preparing food for their loved ones. The time it takes in the preparation, the gathering of supplies, the hot sudsy water as you wash the jars. Jars that if you are lucky are passed from woman to woman, family to family. The love and care and yes, the science that goes into preparing foods that will stay good and will nurish your loved ones. I love canning in a quiet house, my kitchen sounds, the running of water, the fire of the gas heating the pots on the stove, my footsteps going back and forth to the sink, island, stove. These are the sounds my kitchen and I make preparing foods with love for those I love. I also love canning when my family is home, the gazillion tv's, the laughter of the boys, even the squabbling. My kitchen noises are drowned out by the sounds of the family I love living life. Their footsteps racing through the house drown out mine...but mine are still there..following in the footsteps of all those who have gone before me.
I was lucky enough to know 2 of my grandmothers, Mamaw Cheek and Grandma Doan. Both women shaped my life and who I am today. Most of my happy memories revolve around the time I spent with them. I took their quiet lessons with me and they live within me. I didn't get to know my Grandma White, but my Uncle Bruce told me some about her..and I know I would have loved her. We are so similar and I am proud to be their granddaughter and to carry on the traditions that I know they loved.
So, thank you Ma Fletcher for your jar. I will happily fill it will love over and over. And Ma Fletcher...if by some chance you have moved on...could you please tell my 3 Grandmas hello..thank you for the life lessons and I love and miss you.
Tina
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