Recipe

 Hey Neighbor!

Welcome back to THE NEIGHBORHOOD!  This week’s story is about my Grandma and her wonderful recipe for life.  

I’ve been thinking a lot about my grandma recently.  Maybe it’s because the holidays are coming up.  Maybe it’s because I’ve had a lot of time to reflect due to the pandemic.  Maybe it’s because I saw a picture of her and her siblings yesterday at their annual Christmas party and it made me miss her so much that it hurt.  

She believed in me. 

When I was in grade school, I had such bad anxiety that it was hard to face the day’s schedule.  My daily ritual was that I would get ready for the day, have my breakfast and then call my grandma.  We would chat for a few minutes and at the end of the call she would say,

“I have you in my pocket.” 

I felt safe, supported, heard and seen.  She listened to me talk and we would share our plans for the day.  I never really thought about this until now, but she took time out of her busy day to talk to me.  I’m sure it wasn’t always easy or convenient, but wow, what an incredible display of love.  I am adding this to my long list of gratitude to her.  

 I have been thinking a lot about my grandma’s legacy.  I honestly think we would have been even closer as I have gotten older. 

She taught me to love to pray. 

To be involved at church. 

To love your family and show up for them always. 

And to pass along recipes that are special to our family. 

She taught me to make black magic cake, which has coffee in it.  There was always cake because nothing went better with a cup of coffee after dinner.  She would often give me peach ice cream in a peach plastic bowl, which I inherited.  It’s sacred.  I’m almost scared to use it for fear of messing it up.  There are so many recipes that make me think of my grandma.  Food was her love language, which is why I think it is also my love language. 

Food is a shared thing. 

It’s one of the last things we can do with other people.  You share a pizza and you get to talk.  Sure, you talk about how good the pizza is, but then you get to talk more as you devour the pizza.  My grandma taught me the importance of eating with the people you love. 

My favorite memories were spent around her kitchen table.  

 I don’t know why my grandma was taken from me so soon.  I wish she could’ve seen me play the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music in high school.  I think she would’ve loved the idea of me playing a nun!  I wish she could’ve seen me grow as an artist in college and then ultimately make this huge leap of faith and move to New York.  I feel like she would’ve visited a lot.  I know she has a front row seat at all my shows, and that she walks right beside me as I give tours of Chelsea Market and NoLita.  She laughs at my corny jokes and ogles at all the food right along with me. 

She’s the ultimate guardian angel.  

My grandma’s recipes and rituals have lived on even after her death.  I am so proud of my family for always holding on to them.  I can’t wait for the next thirty plus person dinner.  Please pass the gravy. 

Okay, Neighbor, I want to hear from you!  What are your favorite family recipes?  Have you learned how to make them?  

I look forward to hearing your stories.  

I’ve Got You in My Pocket,

Jackie Ostick 

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