Every time I see hand written recipes from Mom I travel back in time. From stories told about how to make good things to eat – recipes for waffles, muffins, and banana bread to lessons about life – they all take me back in time to sharing time with my family. I love seeing her beautiful cursive on these old fashioned recipe cards – I know the love she poured into each and every one. Mom did everything with love and I can feel that love when I read over them. She had other “recipes” for life too – how to treat others, how to be honest in words and actions, how to stand up for oneself – are some of the best lessons she taught me. Mom had a wicked sense of humor too – that’s probably where mine came from –  how very useful humor has been in my career as a teacher. Mom was truly one of a kind – knowing we have children with the goal of having them become independent productive citizens, letting them know always that they’re loved, but letting them know when you disagree with them. She always told me that you begin letting go from the time they’re born by teaching them how to do for themselves, yet giving them the support, love, and guidance they need. Oh, how I do miss her wicked sense of humor, depth of love, and unwavering honesty.