|
My grandmother, Choi, was the undisputed matriarch of our
family. She was a force to be reckoned with, and her word was law in the
household. Her daughters-in-law tried to stay out of her way, and the only
person who could argue with her was her youngest daughter and my mother, who
also happened to be her favorite. However, even I, as the beloved
granddaughter, made sure to avoid incurring her wrath.
My grandfather, on the other hand, indulged her whims and fancies, but he
was careful not to let her have complete control, especially in the presence
of his business associates. In these situations, my grandmother transformed
into a demure, obedient, and dutiful wife.
The one place where she truly held the reigns was the kitchen. Her culinary
skills were unmatched, and she could whip up a feast for a banquet in no
time. She had inherited all the recipes from her mother and grandmother,
both matriarchs before her, and had mastered them to perfection. She didn't
need to measure the ingredients, relying instead on her instincts, and
everything she made was always just right.
But there was one recipe that was a closely guarded secret, known only to my
grandmother. Whenever she cooked it, she would ban everyone from the kitchen
and do everything herself, from buying the ingredients to preparing,
cooking, cleaning, and serving. We called it "Grandma's Magic Tonic", and it
was only served on special occasions. Despite our persistent attempts to
uncover the recipe, she never revealed it to anyone, not even her favorite
daughter and granddaughter.
One day, as she was cordoning off the kitchen to cook her secret dish, we
heard a loud thud. My mother and I rushed to the kitchen and found her
sprawled on the floor, grimacing in pain. Her face was ashen, and it was
clear that she was in agony. Despite her obvious discomfort, she managed to
speak, "Help me up, please. These ageing legs are a minus factor in the
kitchen. Since you two are the only ones at home at the moment, you two are
to be the recipients of my secret recipe."
My mother and I were stunned. This was a complete turnaround from my
grandmother's usual demeanor, and we were both too shocked to speak. She
measured out all the ingredients with her antique measuring cup and gave us
an indulgent smile. This was a new grandmother, one we had never seen
before.
In a soft and sweet voice, she imparted the true secret of the recipe. "Take
a scented bath before you commence cooking. Become serene and give thanks
for the good life. As you prepare the ingredients, concentrate on them and
think peaceful pure thoughts. Give thanks that those about to consume this
dish will enjoy it and be blessed. Continue in this frame of mind throughout
the preparation, cooking, serving, and eating."
I was astounded by my grandmother's teachings. She was advocating for
peaceful pure vibrations to create an atmosphere for healthy living, and the
secret of the recipe was to enjoy doing what we do and to be grateful for a
good, bountiful life.
In conclusion, my grandmother's secret recipe was not just a dish but a
lesson in the power of gratitude. It taught us to appreciate the simple
things in life and to be thankful for all that we have. Her teachings have
stayed with me and continue to inspire me to this day. |
