One of my favorite pans...my kids gave it to me many years ago for Mother's Day. It's big and was a favorite for stir fries, cooking down tomatoes to make spaghetti sauce, making sausage gravy for the traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas breakfasts of biscuits and gravy - so much cooking and so many memories in that pan. And now I can't use it. I have a new induction stove and this is a stainless steel pan. The pan and the stove aren't compatible. Lots of life and life in that 5 quart pan.
This past week has been full of changes. My daughter and son-in-law moved to their new home that they purchased. It's lovely and even with the stress of moving, they are beginning to build new memories. Todd and I went to Chicago to help with the move. As my daughter and I were packing up the nursery, I got a little lump in my throat. This was the room the kids so lovingly decorated in a cute jungle theme for their son to come home to, this is where the new parents rocked their baby for the late night feedings, the room where he recovered from his heart surgery. Lots of love and life in that baby's room as well as the rest of their former home.
Now that we're back from Chicago, the moving stuff bug is still with me and I've been moving lots of stuff from the china closet to my new kitchen cabinets. Wow...three sets of china - the set that I got when we were married, a Christmas set from my mom, and another pretty set with ivy and thistles, once again compliments of my mom. They don't get much use but I'm not ready to get rid of them just yet. I've used them an Thanksgiving and Christmas, at bridal and baby showers, and during COVID just to set a pretty table. Lots of special times around the table with those dishes. And now with the empty china closet, Todd can store some of his office "stuff" in there to clear up his small space.
Times of transition are strenuous a time for reflection and and time for looking forward. They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities, and be intentional about new habits. We are creating a new normal.