Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving, Red Apples and Kindness

 "I'm thankful for every moment."
~ Al Green

There are some things that my husband does that make me cry -- but not in a bad way.  Today, it was red apples.

A dear friend of mine's mother died in March.  It was a huge loss for my friend and her family.  My friend's mother was a wonderful woman -- kind, good-hearted, wise, and funny.  She was an honorary grandmother to my children and I considered her a friend, although she would always tease me that my husband was her favorite.

For years, we had been going to my friend's mother's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was always fun, casual and easy, and included extended family and friends.  My friend's mother used to make these delicious apples that were peeled, boiled and colored red.  Sweet and delicious, the apples were a favorite Thanksgiving treat for my husband, who is a vegetarian.  My friend's mother used to say that they were a pain to make because they took so long, but she knew that my husband loved them, so she made them.

This year, my friend hosted Thanksgiving at her house.  It would be bittersweet as it was also my friend's 15th wedding anniversary.  My husband said he would make the apples and was determined to do so.  We searched for recipes on the Internet and came up with nothing.  I told him not to worry about it.  But my husband decided to try to make them without the recipe.  He peeled dozens of apples and tried various things in the kitchen.  I had no idea how it would turn out, but when I went into the kitchen a while later and saw the peeled apples boiled and red, I could hardly believe it.

When I saw my husband carrying the tray filled with the red apples that he had so lovingly made in honor of a very special woman we all loved, my eyes filled with tears.  And I know that my friend appreciated his kindness, too.

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