Childhood Memories

Isn't it funny the things from your childhood that evoke such interesting memories? My family was dirt poor. We didn't know where are next meal was coming from a lot of times, but Mom always managed to come up with something. Now that she lives down here with us, I've been learning how to make some of my old childhood favorites and have been realizing just how simple and cheap these meals were. We had a ham dinner for Easter. So when we had eaten our fill, I boiled the bone with the rest of the meat on it. It makes a delicious broth! Then I peeled and diced up some potatoes, carrots, celery and onion. I added that to the broth with shreds of ham. This is what Mom called, "Boiled Dinner". I remember her mashing the veggies up and putting them in a bowl and pouring some broth on top. MMMM. I had a taste when I was letting it cool down to put in the frig, and there they were...all the old memories! Mom lived in a simpler time. She never had any money. Growing up she worked but usually gave her money to her Mom. When she got married, she worked because my Dad had a bad back and couldn't do much. Then she got divorced from my Dad and had three kids to raise unsupported. We had a house. We had clothes. We were schooled. We had food. That was all that was required. She didn't have a lot of ways to show us she loved us...but she did with her food. Now I'm making it for my little guy! I hope he realizes thats one way that I show him I love him is by cooking for him!