The Shoe Box (2 page)

Timmy even took the shoe box with him to Sunday school. He sat between Mary and David, the box in his lap.

When he went to bed at night, the shoe box sat on the nightstand beside his bed.

Timmy got letters from his mother twice a week. Once she sent him ten dollars and a short note from his father. Timmy cried when Mary read it to him because his father said how much he missed Timmy and how sorry he was that he had made such a big mistake. Mary held Timmy on her lap in the rocking chair for a long time.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

One of my fondest memories is of my mother making chocolate chip cookies. All through my childhood, she would keep the cookie jar full of them. When I grew up and had children of my own, mom would bake chocolate chip cookies just before I would bring our children up to Oregon for a summer visit. The first thing I would do after greeting my mother and father was head for that cookie jar! Yum! And my children were right on my heels.

After my mother and father both passed away, I started baking chocolate chip cookies for our home bible study class. Every Tuesday afternoon, I'm in the kitchen, baking. And every time I do, I think of my mother. There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to stir sweet memories.

1 cup (2 sticks)
        butter, softened
    ¾ cup granulated sugar
    ¾ cup packed brown sugar
    2 eggs
    2 tsp. vanilla extract
    1 tsp. baking soda
    1 tsp. salt
    2¼ cups all-purpose flour
    1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
    ¼ cup heath bar toffee bits

Combine butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract in large bowl. Stir until creamy. Mix baking soda and salt with flour and add to the large bowl. Stir everything together, and add the chocolate and toffee bits. (you can add nuts as well. Chopped pecans, macadamia nuts, or walnuts are best. I've also added raisins.)

Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.

W
hen David came home, they took Timmy out for a pizza dinner and then to the theater to see an animated movie about a lion. Mary and David both noticed Timmy's expression of wonder and delight.

When Timmy got off the school bus the next day, he was surprised to find David waiting for him. “Hi, champ,” David said. “I thought I'd come home early and share your special day.” He
ruffled Timmy's hair and walked with him to the house.

When they came in the kitchen door, Mary leaned down and kissed Timmy on the cheek. “Happy birthday, Timmy.”

His eyes widened in surprise as he saw a big box wrapped with pretty paper and tied up with bright-colored ribbons on the kitchen table.

“It's for you, Timmy,” David said. “You can open it.”

Timmy put his old shoe box carefully on the table and then opened the bigger box with the pretty paper. In it he found a lion just like the one in the movie. Hugging it, he laughed.

Mary turned away quickly and fussed with the candles on the birthday cake so Timmy wouldn't see the tears in her eyes. David noticed and smiled at her. It was the first time she and David had seen Timmy smile or laugh about anything. And it made them very happy.

When Mary put the birthday cake on the table and lit the candles, David took her hand and then Timmy's and said a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving. “Go ahead, Timmy. Make a wish and blow out the candles.” Timmy didn't have to think very long about what he wished, and when he blew, not a candle was left burning.

SHANNON'S FUDGE

My grandmother used to make fudge every Christmas. It's nice to have my daughter, Shannon, continue the tradition!

3 cups sugar
    ¾ cup butter
    
cup evaporated milk
    12 oz. Semisweet chocolate chips
    7 oz. Jet-Puffed marshmallow crÈme
    ½ tsp. vanilla

This recipe is fun to put in a shaped pan, such as a tree or stocking. Line the pan with foil, lightly spray with oil, and wipe down. Mix sugar, butter, and evaporated milk in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly (I can't stress this enough: stir. Otherwise, it'll scorch, and you'll have to start over). Stirring constantly, boil until thermometer reaches 234 degrees, or until all the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat. Add vanilla, and marshmallow crème. Mix until the chocolate is melted and the color is consistent. Pour into lined and greased pan to cool. Cool to room temperature before cutting. Store at room temperature.

You can also add other flavorings, such as raspberry or peppermint. Substitute for the vanilla.

T
immy's mother came to visit every other week. She and Timmy sat together in the living room. She asked him questions about school and the Holmeses and if he was happy with them. He said he was, but he still missed her. She held him and stroked his hair back from his face and kissed him. She told him she missed him, too, but it was more important that he have a safe place to grow up. “These are nice people, Timmy. You won't grow up like I did.”

Each time before she left, she always told him to be good and remember what she'd taught him. She picked him up and held him tightly for a long time before she kissed him and put him down again. Timmy was always sad and quiet when she left.