Oatmeal Cookie- Warm Spiced Apple Sundae

(Continued journal entry from a year ago- January 2010)
“I spent hours day after day during the first week of January watching every down of every game to see if any of the hits could seemingly produce the impact that would have been required to fracture his femur. B would come home from school and look at the plays I had highlighted over the days videos. It seemed more often than not he had two defenders on him when he caught the ball, and always had to make leaping heroics to secure a catch. After the second full afternoon of watching game tape and B saying “no” to all hits that I had him review, I was frustrated. I know the frustration was not out of lack of success in finding the hit. It was the frustration I felt when it seemed evident that somehow I’d have to adjust from being a mom in the bleachers to a mom in the doctor’s waiting room. My comfortable role of making brownies had changed to my role of readying B for his biopsy surgery scheduled for Tuesday, January 12. I stayed in at the computer, watching more football, wishing things were different, not just now, but then. Sadly- there were only a few games to review tape of. I delighted in spending that time just watching him. Whether it was just running a route, or blocking for a gain on the ground, I was reminded of how tall, strong and quick he had become over the previous years. I was reminded of how fleeting some moments in life are.” (To be continued)

I remember watching those football tapes like it was yesterday. I always thought B would be the one who surprised his teammates, coaches, and the town’s folk of his abilities. He’s a quiet kid. Not one to draw attention to himself. No one expected much from him because he was essentially unknown. That’s not how things turned out. His football season ended before it much began, and we were left with a far different course to follow. Reflectively, it was a good course, but it took a lot of faith. I was grateful B had an extra large dose of faith. At times, I think we were all able to lean on him.
It was a comfort to see B at peace. and speaking of comfort, this dessert hits the spot. When I bake, sometimes its fun, to reach out and experiment trying to replicate something I’ve tasted. But my kids prefer the classics they grew up with. Part of what makes them their favorites are the memories that coincide, or just the security in stability. I like to take a classic and change it enough to present it in a new way. For example, a classic oatmeal cookie paired with warm cinnamon apples, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

Oatmeal Cookies

Cream:
1 cup shortening (Butter flavored Crisco)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
Stir in:
2 eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla
Add at once and stir:
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Soda
2 cups quick oats
1 tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg
Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Warm Cinnamon Apples

5 cups sliced apples
1 T lemon juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg

Toss sliced apples with the rest of the ingredients. Heat them in a skillet just until tender-crisp.
Serve with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. I like Mrs. Richardson’s Butterscotch Caramel jarred sauce.

B would enjoy this dessert. Y and J would snatch a few cookies and be delighted the same. I’m blessed with three great kids. Each very different: strengths, weaknesses, hobbies, etc. But what I see is that when we work together as a family, toward a common goal- we balance each other- especially noted during times of trial.
These times we have as a family are fleeting. I'm grtaeful for the advice given to me to enjoy them. I try to do just that!

Oreo Brownies

Tonight is Y’s football banquet. He is essentially new to the sport. Although he was B’s main competition at age 2, he took little from his experience other than bruises and bumps. He spent most of his time on the bottom of the two man pile.
Football is a great sport, even if you’re somewhat undersized, or still developing your athleticism. More important than studliness- or lack thereof on the field, it’s what happens from a character perspective that can change a child.
The football team seems to think my brownies are a nice post game treat. Today’s version happens to be the coach’s favorite:

Oreo Brownies

Make a pan of brownies as outlined here.
For the 12x17 size pan, frost cooled brownies with 1 ½ cans of white frosting. Cut 3 sleeves, or 1 package of Oreos into small pieces. Gently press the Oreo pieces into the wet frosting. Put remaining ½ can of frosting in a quart size freezer strength Ziploc bag. Microwave for 7 seconds. Clip a small hole in the bottom corner of the bag and drizzle the frosting over the Oreo layer. Let set. Cut and serve.

We are grateful Y made it through his season injury free. We were not so fortunate a year ago with our eldest. He suffered a debilitating season ending shoulder injury in week three of the season. Later we found out he had fractured his femur in week two- but played through it. The day of B’s team's last game had been very difficult and emotional for me. It was hard to say goodbye and find peace in all the memories and lack thereof from the season.
In an effort to define the season, and find closure, I decided to write a letter to my son:
Dear B-
Football is a great sport- a rough one too. I wanted football to teach you lessons about life perhaps not learned quite the same by any other avenue.
I wanted you to measure your strengths and your weaknesses. I wanted you to learn how to make your weaknesses strong. I wanted you to experience what it is like to push yourself physically and mentally harder than you thought you could go- and then push a little further. I wanted you to gain respect: for yourself, your teammates, and your coaches. I hoped you would form friendships that would continue beyond the helmets and pads. Above all else, I wanted you to gain a greater identity of who you are as a son of God. I prayed that you would place your faith and trust in the Lord and yield to His will for you.
Son- you have made your dad and I very proud. My hope for your senior football season was for you to learn the lessons from your opportunities and experiences that would help prepare you for the rest of your life. In fact, I have learned from you. I have watched you face the many difficulties of this season with valiant faith, optimism, and inspiring energy.
I have missed not seeing you shine on the field with receptions, returns, and tackles as I know you could. But my heart rejoices as I watched you shine in the face of such great adversity.
My son, it has been a pleasure to watch you this season. I am grateful for the path you have laid for your brother and sister to walk through. We are blessed to have you in our family.
Now and forever, I’ll always be your biggest fan! I love you!
Mom

Tonight, we eat a fried chicken dinner and bring some Oreo brownies to share in support of Y’s efforts. Truly great character was built this season. My hope for his senior year is not unlike what I’d hoped for with B. What he does and says in the face of difficulty on and off the field, is more important than touchdowns and tackles.