A meaningful holiday for me, as I went through RCIA and became a Catholic 16 years ago. Since then I have attended the Vigil Mass every year, and some years also gone to morning services. A new (church) year, a rebirth, lots of symbolism. Plus I get to drink soda again. Excessively.
Today was a little extra special, though, with my mother in law coming over from the nursing home. The surgeon gave her another 4 weeks of physical therapy, but the therapist at the home thinks it is more like 2 more weeks, since she is progressing much faster than "normal" for a 73 year old. In other words, she is tough and dedicated to working hard, rather than just lying around and saying it is too difficult. The miracle today was seeing her get out of the car with just a walker (remember, just Wednesday we were wheeling her in a chair), come up the drive, carefully negotiate the small step and threshold to the house. She also used our normal bathroom (no elevated toilet seat, no handgrips, etc.). Her appetite was VERY healthy, too. I was really happy to be able to give her a good homecooked meal (roast turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, and a baked pineapple and cheese casserole that was the hit of the day. She was tired when she left, but it was a normal day for the first time in a very long time.
Another little high point for me was breakfast. Usually we go to Perkins (a chain similar to Denny's but more upscale) on Saturday with the extended family. We didn't go yesterday, but after church decided to go today. Pretty long wait, and as we were waiting a young man greeted me by name. I knew I had taught him (before Memphis City Schools), and admitted that I didn't remember him. He let me know I was a sub for him when he was in 8th grade, and I was a favorite of his/theirs. Now he is a senior a Christian Brothers HS, looking at colleges. It really reinforced what I like about teaching - making a difference and being remembered. I probably didn't teach those kids more than 2 weeks total over the course of a school year, but I made an impact. I have to keep that in mind as I spend every day with my students now - - I am making an impact, and eventually it will come back to me when I least expect it.
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2 comments:
Sounds like a wonderful day.
Pineapple and cheese. Recipe, please?
Pineapple Casserole with a Cheddar Crust
1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks, drained
1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple in juice, with its juice
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups crushed buttery crackers (about 36), like Ritz
3 tbsp. butter, melted
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
Place the drained pineapple chunks and the undrained crushed pineapple in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Transfer the pineapple to a 2-quart glass or ceramic casserole.
Place the sugar and flour in a small bowl and stir to combine. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the pineapple. Scatter the Cheddar on top, followed by the cracker crumbs, then drizzle the melted butter over the cracker topping.
Bake the casserole until browned and bubbly, 23 to 28 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Serves 8 to 12.
Note: A double batch can be baked in a deep 9-by-13 dish and will take 5 to 8 minutes longer to cook.
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