Thankful for Savta

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERANote: I wrote this post on Tuesday morning as a tribute, and Savta died Tuesday night. I’m not ready to go through and switch all of the grammar to past tense quite yet. I trust that Savta is out of pain now, and hope she’s reunited with her beloved dog Kiki from when she was a child.

Savta means grandmother, and while Savta is alive right now, much of her is already gone, and her time here is short. I wanted to honor her in a way, because she is certainly one of a kind.

When I was in 3rd or 4th grade, I wrote “books”. They were fully illustrated, of course, complete with a title page and everything. I remember showing Savta my latest book, and she’d oooh and aaah over them. I think it went over my head that she couldn’t read English….and so perhaps they weren’t as impressive as I thought.

Thinking back to my childhood memories, oddly, I remember that she always had Mentos. Minty and fruity Mentos. Isn’t it funny the things that stick in our minds years later?

She was always an amazing baker, with these delicious circular shaped breads. I wish I knew how to make them, so I could figure out how to make them gluten-free! She was not one to share her recipes, even with her grandchildren.

She also made a chicken and rice dish called T’Beet. I’ve seen a few recipes, I haven’t tried any of them yet. Long story short, T’Beet is something delicious enough to write sonnets about. Enough said.

One of the things I appreciated most about Savta was that she remembered a time and a place that few living people can imagine. She would talk at length of the beauty of living in Iraq, where Jews, Muslims, and Kurds all gathered as neighbors and shared meals and celebrated together.

And I think to myself…what a wonderful world. Obviously that’s not the world we live in now, but even the memory of the peace of the past is a ray of hope for the future, and something I hope is never forgotten.

 

About Cheryl Harris

Life played a funny trick on me. I've studied nutrition for years, and much to my surprise, found out that I could manage many of my health issues via diet. I've been GF for years, and I've got a bunch of allergies and sensitivities. But it definitely doesn't keep me from cooking, baking and enjoying my food. Thanks for stopping by.
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4 Responses to Thankful for Savta

  1. This post is really a lovely tribute to your grandmother, Cheryl. Again, my deepest condolences to you. Oh, and I’m quite sure that even if your grandmother could have read English, she still would have raved over your books. That’s what grandmothers do. Their praise always comes from the heart and they’re always right. 😉

    xo,
    Shirley

  2. carrie says:

    What beautiful words about your Savta Cheryl. I am very very sorry for your loss. Those memories will last forever and your lovely and thoughtful Grandmother will never be forgotten. (((Big big big hugs))) to you right now. Sending warm thoughts to you and cuddle vibes to your furrbabies.

  3. Jeanne L says:

    Cheryl, my heart is with you in the loss of your lovely Savta! I know how it is to lose a loved and loving grandmother, and it’s not easy. You wrote such a beautiful tribute to her! God’s blessings!

    Jeanne <

  4. Shirley, Carrie, Jeanne–
    Thank you so much. I really appreciate it, and the virtual support means a lot to me!

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