This short story is from <Feel Better Compilation of Short Stories for Seniors> by Bradley Windrow. It is perfect for seniors, even for dementia patients. Be sure to read until the end, as there’s a special gift waiting for you! hope you enjoy it!
A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles. –Tim Cahill
Sarah, a lively retiree, decided it was time to bring her old friends together for something fun and engaging. She had always loved baking, so she proposed the idea of starting a baking club. Her friends, excited about the idea, eagerly agreed. Each week, they would meet at one of their homes, bringing along a recipe that represented their unique cultural heritage.
The first meeting was at Sarah’s house. She had prepared her grandmother’s famous apple pie recipe. As they gathered in the kitchen, the smell of cinnamon and apples filled the air.
“The smell of this pie reminds me of the first time I met my Richard.” Margaret, a sprightly woman with a quick wit, began. “It was a blind date. He showed up in a neon green suit. I thought, This is going to be interesting. The restaurant got our reservations mixed up and showed us the door. Richard was so so pissed, he grabbed a plate of pie from a passing waitress’s tray and told me to run!”
“Oh my God!” Sarah and the other women laughed.
“We spent the rest of the night eating the piece of pie on a curb,” Margaret continued. “He may have had terrible fashion sense but had the best sense of humor.”
Next, it was Maria’s turn. She brought her abuela‘s tamale recipe. As they prepared the masa and filling, she shared stories of her childhood.
“My abuela used to make tamales every week. It was our family’s best and worst meal. On a good day, the smell of tamales was the world’s greatest comfort. On days when you were naughty, my abuela would dish out a plate of 20 tamales. Your punishment is to scarf them down without leaving a crumb while she watches. If you know what too much tamales can do to your tummy, you’ll know why that was the worst punishment ever.”
The group laughed as Maria recounted her memories and continued to chat and cook delicious food together. Moments like these made their friendship even stronger.
“I often used food as a teaching tool, too,” Elaine, known for her incredible cakes, said. “Once, my kids wouldn’t stop fighting over who got the bigger piece of cake. So, I told them, ‘One of you cuts, and the other chooses.’ They learned about fairness pretty quickly. And now, they’re adults who know how to compromise.”
“That’s right!” Nancy said. She brought her family’s Irish soda bread. “That technique doesn’t only work on kids, it works on grumpy bosses, too.” Now everyone was all ears waiting to hear what Nancy had to say.
“I once had a boss who was a real piece of work. He was always criticizing my coffee-making skills. So, one day, I made a pot so strong it could wake the dead. It was a special Colombian blend I learned from an old friend. He took one sip, and his eyes nearly popped out. He never complained again, that’s for sure.” They all laughed so hard that tears ran down their cheeks.
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