Banana Puddin’ – The Most Important Ingredient
Eva makes the BEST banana pudding in the world.
She called yesterday to invite me to dinner in a couple of weeks. Her husband, Bill, is about to celebrate his birthday and they wanted to know if I would like to come and bring my boyfriend, Steve, along. Eva’s sister, Ruth, would be there as well. The four of us have traveled some together. We all enjoy each others company and we were definitely overdue for a visit. As I listened to the message on my cellphone, I found myself hoping Eva was going to make her banana pudding.
Bill answered the phone when I returned the call. We visited for a few minutes and made plans for the visit.
“We’ll be having salmon with all the fixings and Eva will make banana pudding.” Bill said.
“Yummy!” I exclaimed. “I’m in.”
Eva and Ruth made that banana pudding one time while we were vacationing. They brought all the ingredients along they needed, including the most important ingredient they would not do without – the Banana Pudding Bowl. This bowl had been their mother’s banana pudding bowl for years. Best I can remember it was used exclusively for the pudding and nothing else. We all agreed that to make banana pudding without that bowl would just not be the same.
This particular recipe takes a long time to make. They were kind enough to share the recipe with me but I will likely never make it. It takes way too long for me and I don’t have the patience to stay in the kitchen that long. Besides, I don’t have a banana pudding bowl like Eva’s.
I will also not eat banana pudding anywhere else after eating Eva’s. I already know it won’t taste the same and I’m not willing to have less than perfect banana pudding.
Eva and Ruth have told many stories about their family gatherings around the dinner table and having a long meal together. I’m not real sure families do this today as often as families did back then. One thing for sure, the banana pudding bowl was a regular at their house when they were growing up.
I’m looking forward to my visit with them. As we get older, we are happier and happier to be celebrating another birthday…more good times with good friends. I’m beginning to taste that banana pudding, too. Good friends and perfect banana pudding – what a combination!
My wish for you today: That you will develop friendships and memories with friends on a regular basis. Cherish the traditions you’ll share with each other. It makes our lives richer – just like that banana puddin’.