2/22/12
When I bite into Northwest wild berries, I remember my Dad. That’s what I’m doing on the night before Lent as Roger and I sit by the fire eating warm blackberry cobbler dolloped with yogurt. Dad knew that when our family visited Oregon in August I would grab him to go with me to conquer the thorny thicket of bushes for the sake of getting plump berries. We would tie to our belts the handle of an empty plastic milk bottle cut to hold the harvest. And I didn’t mind the pricks or purple stains for Ihad my eyes on the delicious reward.
As we enter a time to ponder and prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ my “pre-preparation” is conversation over cobbler about the power of legacy. Isn’t it amazing how certain foods bring back memories of people! My Dad left a priceless legacy of humility and love. Here’s what strikes me as the fruity taste of blackberries lingers—Dad’s legacy doesn’t diminish over time; it grows! It sings to me with power and authority. It calls me to trust Christ as he trusted Christ. I do not deserve the legacy my parents gave me; but the older I get the more I treasure it. And that aptly describes the legacy this season calls us to— to partake and grow in treasuring the undeserved grace and hope of Christ. May your preparation in the days ahead enhance your joy at your Easter table.
That is a beautiful memory. Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous photos – I can almost taste the juicy tang of a Pacific Northwest Boysenberry on my tongue! And Blackberry Cobbler is such an appropos dessert to enter upon this season of bitter & sweet reflection.
Thanks for bringing back some memories of my own, Joanne! As a child at Bible camp in the verdant Missouri woods, my favorite pasttime during the week was to borrow a bucket from the big kitchen and head off with a couple of friends during “free time” to pick blackberries! In exchange for bringing her the bounty, the head cook would treat us to little bowls of berries with real cream (we never mentioned our arrangement to the rest of the campers, of course–but everyone got their share that night at dessert!)!
Hi Joanne, you just brought Gaither back to life to me, back to my memory. He was so special. I recall my mom too remembered his gentleness, from the one time they visited w us in CPH, back in 1990 – in our newlywed state in the the twofloor appartment we stayed in for our first 6 months
Great to remember both GranJo and Gaither. Thanks 
Much Love I
It is a treasure that godly mentors who have graced our lives live on within us after they are gone. I still access their wisdom and draw on their strength. A precious gift. Thanks for sharing your memory. The cobbler looks scrumptious!