Elixirs for the soul
August 17
by Kate Larson
When I think about John, and how to write about John, I want to capture a thousand small memories from across Colorado, Alaska, and Washington. I want to sweep a dragonfly net across the spans of distance and time, gathering them all up like the beautiful, glowing fireflies you can sometimes see in Iowa on summer nights. I want to gather them and say to everyone, “Look! Look how brilliant and bright, and amazing these memories are! Look how brightly this soul shined while here on Earth.” But if you knew John, and he was a part of your journey, you already know.
Did you know, though, about the elixirs John made? (I think he might laugh to hear his mystery concoctions described this way.) For seven summers when my kids were young, I took them to Alaska to visit Grandma Peggy & Grandpa John. He made the kids special berry-chocolate smoothies nearly every night that they often drank in the bathtub. (What can I say, “efficiency mom” is my M.O.) I think I watched once or twice when he made these smoothies, but probably stopped paying attention after he got to the fourth or fifth “And now a little of this….” Once or twice there may have even been a dash of leftover red wine. (Hey, It is not easy to get kids to go to sleep in Alaska when sunset occurs after 11 p.m.)
I may not know the ingredients, but these hodge-podge creations were in fact, elixirs, because they infused my kids with love.
Did you know, though, about the elixirs John made? (I think he might laugh to hear his mystery concoctions described this way.) For seven summers when my kids were young, I took them to Alaska to visit Grandma Peggy & Grandpa John. He made the kids special berry-chocolate smoothies nearly every night that they often drank in the bathtub. (What can I say, “efficiency mom” is my M.O.) I think I watched once or twice when he made these smoothies, but probably stopped paying attention after he got to the fourth or fifth “And now a little of this….” Once or twice there may have even been a dash of leftover red wine. (Hey, It is not easy to get kids to go to sleep in Alaska when sunset occurs after 11 p.m.)
I may not know the ingredients, but these hodge-podge creations were in fact, elixirs, because they infused my kids with love.