Once a year, in October, I get a chance to recognize the two most important men in my life: my father and my partner. By now, I’ve lived with the latter longer than with the former but each has left their mark on me and will continue to do so for as long as I live. It’s probably not coincidence that they were both born in October under harvest skies and that, though very different, they both carry traits that I cherish: among them, steadfastness, a streak of stubbornness, a good dose of common sense, a thinking mind and respect from others in their chosen work.
I grew from newborn to college student under my dad’s umbrella. It’s from him that I get my urge to question the world around me and to look ahead with vision. Many times at our supper table, topics discussed required pulling out the heavy encyclopedia to check for a spelling, meaning or definition. To this day, I continue that tradition with a smaller pocketbook dictionary at the bakery. In our conversations there, we often have to dig it out to make sure we understand what we are talking about.
My father also encouraged reading and many a night I read beside him in our living room as he caught up on the latest news and the current literature to keep abreast of the world around him. My mother and he still send magazines my way when they are finished reading them and I will find underlined passages that they have marked as important. Because of his knowledge, he often became my encyclopedia on such subjects as the Vietnam War, utopian societies, European history, art appreciation, theology and faith.
As I grew up watching him, as children will do of their parents, I saw a man who always had an open ear for those who needed help whatever their status or origin. I observed a person who lived out what he believed and yet was open to those who believed differently. I picked up the idea that you have to work hard for what you believe in and always to try and do the best at any job.
Sometimes he became the devil’s advocate to make me think through what I was doing.
And much of this happened at the supper table where our family gathered every night to eat together, often with visitors from all over the world. So it is a privilege to celebrate my dad once a year and as each year passes, I appreciate what he has passed on to me more.
As for the other man in my life, I’m still learning new things from him. That’s what keeps him so interesting. Not to mention that he can fix just about anything and can make us a new kitchen from drawing board to finished product with an eye for beauty as well as use. I don’t need to say much more on his subject. He knows how I feel.
I believe it is good and even necessary to tell those we love around us what we appreciate in them because now is when we can. So today, here is my recipe for mulled cider, appropriate for mid-October festivities. Invite someone over to drink it with and tell them what you appreciate about them, before it’s too late.
Mulled cider
1 gallon cider, local if possible
2 sticks cinnamon
1 1/2 t. allspice
2 t. whole cloves
1 t. grated orange peel
Put the cider in a big pot. Mix in the spices. Bring up to a boil. Immediately, turn down to a simmer for about a half hour. Serve piping hot with pumpkin cookies.
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