Just about twenty-one years ago, I whisked up a family birthday tradition. I was a young mom and with neither coin nor community, so the best I could do to start my first-born's birthday right was to combine eggs, flour, and milk for a batch of pancakes, pouring the very first into the shape of a #1. Now with three boys and their dad in the mix, I haven't missed a birthday since. Photos of my drippy creations capture every age of my dear ones in square photographs.
This early morning I stepped into my routine, quiet and content. Coffee brewed while I made the sandwiches and sliced the oranges while the rest of the house slept. Slipping into the bathroom to dry my damp hair, I found my husband was missing from our bed when I returned. The stealthy chef stood by the stove, and a golden brown 45 sizzled on the pan. The tradition of love and pancakes lives on. Happy birthday to me.
Happy Birthday, my friend!! Your post is reminding me of Leigh's memories or her mom making pancakes and waffles in the Astonishing Color of After. I hope you enjoyed your special day.
ReplyDeleteYes! Happy Birthday to you! I hope you enjoyed the pancakes and captured the memory with a photograph. Do you have an album of all the pancake pictures? So lovely to have a ritual tradition like this. You kids will remember it always and hopefully pass it on their kids:) .
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Leah - what a lovely gesture by your hubby. HOpe you enjoyed your day.
ReplyDeleteI love this tradition! I wonder if your kids got more excited when they got to the 2-digit birthdays- more pancakes.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love this line: "with neither coin nor community"! I also love the pancake tradition :-)
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