Making Lemon Curd out of Lemons
My mother cried when we set the cake in front of her. Not because she didn’t like the flavor. It was her favorite pound cake, a lemon curd. And it wasn’t the number of candles. Mama is quite proud of her 80+ years of living—and since I could only find one, it wouldn’t take but a whiff of air to blow it out. I’d say it wasn’t our singing either. But it very well could’ve been, if only because we were all missing Daddy’s tenor providing some much-needed harmony.
This was Mama’s first birthday in sixty-three years of marriage without her husband. It was the first time she’d traveled to our house in my sister’s car instead of Daddy’s burgundy GMC Silverado truck. Her first time snuggling on our loveseat with our Oscar and their dog Mike—four-legged brothers—in about two years.
We have much to be grateful for.
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
This year, I’ve worked to do just that, to thank God in all circumstances. Okay, I amend that to most circumstances, because I’m a work in progress. While I haven’t always thanked him for the struggles and setbacks, I have discovered good in them, sometimes buried so deeply I’ve had to search and grope and seek the Lord to find it.
And what have I found?
I was less than thrilled about all the poking and prodding that eventually led to surgery, but I’m grateful for the timing. God blessed me with the energy to finish and publish my fifth book, all while helping my parents during our family’s hardest season. Then I got to attend graduations and all the wedding todos before undergoing my procedure. And let’s not forget celebrate Mama’s birthday afterwards!
Like many people, I hate to accept, let alone ask for help (gulp!). But the past month has forced me to do both. Talk about humbling! It’s been good for me to remember that the S on my chest stands for Saved not Superwoman. And as an added bonus, I’ve spent more time in prayer, cuddling closer to Jesus the way Mama did with our dogs.
I’m a homebody, but that doesn’t mean I’ve enjoyed being homebound. I haven’t been able to drive for several weeks, and my pjs and muumuus are running low. What a blessing to have family and friends who’ve run to the fire and withstood all my grumbles and complaints and pointed me to Jesus every time. My BFF even drove me around town for a couple hours just so we could chat and laugh and sip something cold outside of our four walls. My mama was so worried she came to see about “her baby,” which gave my sister and me precious time together on such a special day. So thankful!
And speaking of home, I’m grateful for little things like my sofa and huge things like my peeps. Both have provided excellent company. Here and with them, I’ve watched movies and limited series and read for pleasure—not for school, for work, or for study. So far, I’ve read Howard’s End and Tom Lake, and I’ve started The Nightingale. We’re watching Turn: Washington’s Spies, rewatched The Hunger Games series, and tuned in to every Jeopardy episode.
Of course, life is not without its fireworks. It’s the ka-booms and the sparklers that help us appreciate the quiet, hazy in-between, and vice versa. That Saturday, my sister and I came together to cry and sing and help Mama blow out that one candle. I’m so happy we could, because there was a time when that wasn’t possible. I’m thanking the Lord in it all, and one day I’ll have the wherewithal and the wisdom to thank Him for it all. Be sure I’ll put it in writing.
What have you learned from life’s “fireworks”? I’d love to read your comments.
~In Him, RWP
Hooray, Melanie Grace, you’ve won the journal and the signed copy of The Stories We Carry! Thanks for joining the conversation.
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“…the S on my chest stands for Saved not Superwoman.” What a great line, Robin. I need to remember that. And I love your perspective on this difficult season. So thankful your mom has you and your sister as she goes through this difficult time. Glad you have each other. (And a lemon curd cake can’t hurt! 🙂 )
We’ve had a wonderful community full of support, including another sister in Texas. Grief and gratitude have become fast friends.
I love the pics of your mom, and you and your sister so much. And that lemon curd cake. Recipe please, if you share recipes. Lemon curd is a passion, and I’m
pretty sure carries life-saving qualities.
I’m praying for you in “the hard” of life and for your healing and restoration. If I could bring dinner over, I would. And I’d serve it with a hug. And lemon curd something. Much love, my friend.
What a beautiful post, Robin.
“Life is hard. God is good.” The song with those lyrics has played in my head often in the past 30-some years since I first heard it. My mom graduated to heaven 16 years ago last Friday. I thought about her and missed her a lot over the weekend. Her favorite hymn was How Great Thou Art, and it was sung at her funeral. Then yesterday at church, we sang it during worship. I cried. It was just one of those sweet reminders from the Lord that He sees and He cares.
Thank you, Robin. In my latest book, my characters talk about God being good in the hard. And I love that hymn! Tears in the back of my throat always make my voice crack when I get to “Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee…”
Lovely post! I’m praying now for your recovery, Robin. May you continue to grow in strength and energy. And may you be back out there behind the wheel soon! Hugs to you and your Mama.
Thanks for the prayers and the hugs! It’s funny how different it feels to choose to stay home and to be told to stay home. I’ve always walked, driven, and written on the obstinate side of the street, haha.
Oh, Robin. I was so touched reading this. You have encouraged me to not only trust God in my “fireworks”, but to learn to be thankful for them.
Then to read my name as the winner of your book and the journal! Double thanks. Praying for you as you heal.
I’m still learning, too. Aren’t we blessed that our Teacher is so patient with us and doesn’t mind reviewing these hard lessons? Congratulations again! I’ll be in touch to find out where to send your gift.
Thank you for all the reminders and the encouragements in your words! In the “fireworks” of parental health issues over the past several months, I’m learning (yet again!) to give my daily schedule to the Lord and trust Him with it. Praying for you as you recover!
We have traveled similar roads for many years. Managing parents, our homeschooling, my writing… When I look back, I can see God’s hand in it all and what a gift the time was, even though it felt impossible in the moment. I pray you feel Him carry and direct you.
Hi Robin, that is a lot to go through all at the same time. I will pray for you as you continue to recover and help your mom through this season of grief. Beautiful thoughts from a beautiful soul.
Many thanks, my friend. I’m impatient—always wondering, “When will I feel better? When will my heart heal? When will I see progress?” But then I’m reminded of Habakkuk 3: 17, 18 that begins with “Though the fig tree may not blossom…” and ends “Yet will I rejoice in the LORD…” Blessings to you.