This summer, Jane got a job at the downtown
Provo Bakery, a block from the Pioneer House, where Christian,
Claire and I lived when we brought Jane home from the hospital.
She can even see the house from the bakery's front window.
I found myself feeling nostalgic thinking about 21 years ago,
when I was a very young mom with newborn Jane and baby Claire.
We used to walk to the bakery almost every day to get a treat.
It was a chance to get out of the house and get some fresh air.
I loved living near the bakery and watching it change with the seasons.
We always looked forward to the Halloween pumpkin and bat sugar cookies
on the trays, as well as the delicious rolls for Thanksgiving.
But my favorite time was in December when the Christmas lights
twinkled in the bakery's dormer window.
I could see them while I nursed Jane in the rocking chair
by my front living room window,
waiting for Christian to get off the bus from school.
On the 4th of July, my Mom always bought my
Dad, a giant Provo Bakery birthday cake
to share with at least 100 family members at the BBQ/ birthday party.
The memories could go on and on.
Provo Bakery and my childhood/early mothering years go hand-in-hand.
Today, she sent me a text that a couple came into the bakery today
At the register, they said to her,
"You know, we live just up the street, and we've never been here before,"
Then Jane said,
"Oh really, I used to live up the street at that yellow house right there
and I've been going here since I was born."
"Wait, what yellow house?" the man asked.
"That one, on the corner," she said, pointing again.
"Wait, 303?" he responded.
"Yes!! 303!!" she shot back.
"That's our house!" He said.
Jane couldn't believe it! Then they reminisced about the rooms,
paint colors and neighbors.
When she told me this story, I wanted to cry.
Nostalgia really gets me.
Unfortunately, it was Jane's last day working at the bakery.
She found a new job that would fit better with her school schedule.
She really enjoyed working there while she could,
and I'm glad she met this lovely couple on her last day!
What a perfect way to end that chapter.
Then she sent me a photo of her at my parents' house,
eating dinner that my dad made.
When I close my eyes and think of my Dad making dinner,
I see on my plate soup with toast (and tons of butter on top),
and a clumps of grapes.
And that is exactly what she got.
I love my Dad.
She also sent me Y mountain and the changing leaves.
I love that she's experiencing that!!
