Good Food and Great Memories

I am sitting in one of my most favorite places ever. The smells of coffee and fresh bread are circling around me. I am sitting at a great table. I am high up looking down on the world (at least that is how I feel). Can you guess where I am? Anyone who knows me knows that I am at Panera. I love this place. This is the first time that I have brought my Dell and just sat down, just the two of us. I have only been here a few minutes but I feel like it's been hours. It feels like it's been hours of great rejuvination. It's crazy sounding I know. Since becoming a mother, any time away like this, time to just clear my mind, is wonderful! Now, ya'll know how much I love being a mother. But all moms need time to themselves. I believe those few and rare moments to ourselves make us better mommies. I am waiting for a friend, who as usual, is late. I knew that she would be late that is why I came prepared. I must say that I am very glad that I did.

Speaking of wonderful scents and aromas that fill the air and bring about a feeling of comfort. I was driving home from Columbiana last night and I had the same feelings of comfort. This comfort derived from an unusual scent. The smell of cow manure. Yep, that's what I said. Cow poop. I know this is sounding very odd and I'm sure quite disgusting. But there is a reason behind it. I am sure that Kevin will know what I am talking about. When I was a small child, my family attended the Church of the Brethren. Our church was located right next to a farm. Cow farm. Stinky, smelly, cow farm to be exact. But that smell of the cows is a comfort to me. It's very gross, I know. But I have very, very fond memories of that church. It's where my oldest sister was married when I was two (and I do remember parts of that day). It's where my parents took me for church and Sunday school, where I remember gluing cotton balls on pictures of bible stories. It's where I would run down the hall on that red carpet to that step at the end where I loved to sit. It's where I remember the summer my mom took me to Vacation Bible School and I dressed up in my favorite blue summer sundress. Most of all I remember the love that came from the people in that building. To this day, Pastor John and Ruth give a true sense to what the love of God is really all about. There are some relationships that were built in that church that still have an effect on me to this day. George Welker Jr., just to name one. I remember one Sunday, just waiting and anticipating to see him. When he finally turned the corner and how excited I was to see him. I remember taking off in the fastest run my little 5 or 6 year legs could take me. As soon as I got to him, I jumped right into his arms. That is a memory I will cherish my whole life. Well, I must go. My friend is here now and I am about to have a lovely bowl of broccoli cheddar soup. TTFN.