A muffin pan in time

Over Easter weekend, I had the opportunity to do a little baking at hubs Grandparents house. While preparing to bake, I realized that I needed a muffin pan. Grandma told me where to look and apologized for her pan being "so old." Old? My ears perked up. I reached into the cabinet and pulled out the most gorgeously aged muffin pan. Now, hubs Grandma is a perfect grandma age and this muffin pan belonged to her mother! I nearly squealed when she told me that.

So, for the next 90 minutes, I mixed and baked, frosted and filled my treats and thought about all the tasty baked goods that had been made with love in that muffin pan. As a little boy, did my hubs eat warm muffins baked up especially for him? Did Grandma use that pan to bake celebration cupcakes for MIL's 5th birthday party? Did Grandma's mom make her favorite treats when she had a bad day? That very muffin pan probably contributed to decades of breakfasts, dinners, parties, and celebrations. I couldn't help but think about how this seemingly random act connected me to all the people who'd been there before me; people who have touched the lives of those I love. It's amazing to think about what they ate and how it was made and how it has connected us to each other.

Another amazing thing was how Hubs, Grandma, Auntie, and MIL came into the kitchen and helped me. It really reminded me why I love to bake and cook. Food is a blessing. Building memories by creating it is even more of a blessing.

I wish I had taken a picture of this pan. Next time we go up to OC, I will. Man, I love the family I married into! I am a lucky girl.