Laughter in a cup

I am still full from Thanksgiving! But not just my stomach, my heart too!


Our family had a few moments yesterday that I will absolutely cherish forever.



Yesterday morning as we prepared for everyone to come over to our house and eat, Zoe and I made my grandma's Hot Apple Cider recipe. I let Zoe do it all!! She carefully poured the apple cider, measured the brown sugar and added the cheesecloth full of spices. It simmered for 2 hours before everybody got there. Then after a really bountiful lunch, Zoe served the cider to my mom and dad and Sid (I think others were skeptical to try it- or maybe it was the low 70 degree weather outside that turns you off to the idea of HOT anything).



My mom and Dad gushed on and on about how wonderful it was! Mom said "Zoe, you got this recipe just right!! This is great!" Dad exclaimed how much he was enjoying the cider himself. Sid said he liked it too, but then quickly stepped away from the table, leaving his forgotten cider.



Zoe, was curious! Was the cider AMAZING? Was she an apple cider genius? She poured herself a cup- and somehow I wasn't around to see her try it, to see if she liked it or not.



Well, after a walk around the block and a jaunt to the park, it was time to take the kids over to the Harwell's for the afternoon Thanksgiving with that side of the family. It hit me hard this year. I don't know weather it was the triptophane from the turkey, or just general "womenness" (Aaron would probably suggest the latter), but once I got home, and the house was completely empty, I lost it. Poor Aaron sat trying to enjoy his Cowboys game, and I sat next to him boohooing- saying things like "empty"....."useless" and I believe at some point I declared that I was "another year older and really out of shape!!!!" Talk about drama!! HOW DOES AARON HANDLE ME!! Good gracious I will never know!!



So, after declaring that I would only sit on the couch and feel sorry for myself for 5 more minutes, I made myself get up and go clean the kitchen. When I went in, a nearly fell over when I saw Zoe's cup of cider with a big sticky note stuck to it that said (in her precise writing): EWWWW!



I laughed so hard, and maybe cried a little more. Had everyone just went on and on about how good it was to be sweet? I had to try it myself. I poured a cup of the still steaming cider to sip while I tidied the kitchen. I took a swallow and you know what- it was really good. A little tart- maybe a little strong- but it tickled my tongue and the flavors were exotic. I had to laugh again! I don't know if it was supposed to taste like that- but whatever Zoe had done was great!!



When we went to pick the kids up at 8:30, (I was so ecstatic to get them back) we hadn't been in the car very long when I told Zoe. "I tried your cider while you were gone!! And it made me laugh!!!! It was so good! Zoe you are a cider marvel!" Her smile grew so big and she reached up to the front seat and kissed me on the cheek declaring she could smell it on my face!!

Aaron looked at me in that moment and said "you are such a good mama!" I don't know why he said that. But he is always saying things like that just when I need them.



Later on, after the kids had a bath and we settled in my bed to watch "What about Bob?" (Bill Murray is hysterical no matter how old you are) Zoe and I got onto the topic of 'acting'. We had just seen a commercial of a woman who was touching something really soft, but her face looked so bored, Zoe and I weren't buying it. Sid asked if we could do better. We both declared that we good, and I went first, feeling the blanket I have over my bedspread and smiling in a way that I imagined showed such gleeful, euphoricness!! Sid shrugged like "Whatever, the lady on the tv did better". Zoe sat thoughtful for a minute and then leaned against me all cozy. "Come to Zoe's house for Zoe's cider! It's laughter in a cup!" Sid and I dies laughing at her expression- and then without missing a beat she said "Cause if your not shopping with us, you're burning money!"



We laughed even harder- I can't remember what commercial that is from- but its a line we have heard on TV over and over again! And she really thought we wouldn't remember this and think she came up with her own little jingle!



What a reminder this time of year about how special families are.

They love your cider, even when you don't.
The let you cry for no apparent reason, and just sit with you.
They compliment you just when you need it most.
And the laughter never ends!