I don’t often write about food but a churro, to me, is filled with happy memories, not cream. A churro is a type of fried dough from Spanish and Portuguese cuisine and is pastry dough piped into hot oil from a star tip piping bag. Afterwards there is a generous sprinkling of sweetness – sugar and cinnamon. I purchased a churro at Costco because the food court must be passed or they will not let you leave. Back to that in a minute.
For three days I have been looking at some Christmas crafts from 30 years ago. I climbed a ladder in the garage and found the missing brains from my Simpli-Safe system, the missing dish drainer, and Christmas labels. We are mid November and it is time. In one of the label/ribbon/fake holly boxes, together is a bag, I found two precious works of art. Nathan had made three paper-plate angels with glitter and Steph had made a Santa mobile. Paper does not keep well for 30 years and they need to go. I just could not toss, so both were laid out on a sofa so I could enjoy. I even sent the picture, below, to those wonderful adults who were my Christmas angels. I secretly (or not so secretly) hoped they would encourage me to repair and hang and keep. You see, being a mother was my entire dream. I say entire because no other dream rivaled this. A lot else happened if you know even part of my story. You pour your life out and then they are wonderful adults and mission accomplished.
So the reasons I purchased a churro is because it was $1.49 and I was hungry. The other reason is because it reminded me of trips to Disneyland when these two were little. If I can’t have every past art project, because paper decomposes, as a reminder, I can certainly eat a churro. What else can I do at this happy junction between life and death? I was reminded today of 2 Cor 4:16-5:10 by a pastor at Canyon Hills Community Church. My job today is to please God. Feeling old is of no use – it is already obvious. I can focus on the eternal where we all end up with God or without God. JL Packer has described Heaven as, “An unknown country with a well-known inhabitant”. I need to finish my course with joy and run – flat – out. Paul was a tentmaker and the image is perfect. Today I live in a body (my tent). I should try to take care of it but one day eternity will “swallow up” the old and deposit me into new things. I learned today that my friend Cheryl’s sis her made that passage on Friday. She was prepared. She is already terribly missed but be like Paula. Oh, and yes, I will treasure the time I can spend with children and grandchildren while I may. They are part of the good things God has provided for me as answers to prayer and they are also an anchor for this next little bit. In the meanwhile, I am wrapping presents while I live one day at a time, in the present moment, and getting ready to go. Thank you Pastor Edgar. Last thing, never eat a churro in a car with dark upholstery while you are driving.
