The longing for home--How and Why

Ever have that feeling of longing to be somewhere and know it was a place of refuge and comfort? Today, the intent was to go down to Spanish Fork and help make Tamales with Tara. We asked Beth and the boys if they would come visit the Fryer cousins while we worked to make the hot tamales. The boys loved the visit and so did Beth and her Mom.

The recipe for the meat filling turned out really well. Tara insisted she follow the recipe herself and used one like my mother used to make. The meat was superb. It cooked up well with added cumin and garlic--which is so delicious.


After all was prepared and ready to cook, the house had the aroma of cooking Mexican food in a restaurant. Really! The cumin and garlic blended with the corn masa as they cooked in the juicer/canner.

The aroma was so familiar that I told Tara it made it so I didn't want to leave because of the nostalgic reminder it was sending to my mind and heart. It almost felt like "the comfort of home." It was like when I was growing up and in my own home.


At family gathering at Nane's in San Antonio, Cousin Bess, Robert, Anna Maria 1947


The "longing for home" feeling was stronger than I could have imagined. Let me try to reconstruct that image. It goes back to my early childhood actually. Gathering with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The tamales and feasting on tradition!



It also reminded me of the Mole' we used to have at wedding dinners. That was traditional too. Also while I am at it, I will paint in this memory picture--the "pan dulce" and Mexican hot cocoa!! Yummm, which is among my favorites for morning/evening snack. It brings to my mind the feeling of togetherness for the generations past, present and future. The tradition of family get-togethers is priceless.

I see that unbroken chain binding us all through the 'Everlasting Priesthood' as much as the tradition seals that bond and creates that sense of belonging. How about that? It doesn't take heritage by blood to enjoy or like the tamales, mole' or all the other favorites our family embraces when we get together.

The Guacamole must taste just right, in my opinion of course. The tortilla chips unite with the taste buds to make them most delicious, (delicioso)with that touch of lime--the secret ingredient in the "guac".

When I was in Monterrey, I was blessed to have avocados every day if I wanted. It is known as the "food of the Gods." They are full of rich ingredients and good EFAs, that counter cholesterol! I was pleased to know they are good fatty acid fats.

No wonder Mexican food is such a favorite, not only with Mexicans, but many others.

I still remember the first anniversary party I had on the year mark of my sealing to my parents. I recreated the tamale Sunday dinner and had everyone come for that family celebration. Michael and Matt were not in attendance, living in Cincinnati and Redmond. I went about the day thinking of them as I prepared and cooked the tamales.

A Strange Phenomenon

I called Michael the day after and told him about our family get-together.
He said he had the strangest craving for Tamales that same day we had them. I also called Matt and told him about our family party, and he said he and Beth had cravings for tamales too at the same time we had them at home.

Now that is remarkable. Tell me the hearts of the children and the hearts of the Fathers are not binding us here and well as heavenward. Believe it or Not, it does, and did bind us that special day of celebration.

We all must innately posses that "longing for home" and unaware that we are sometimes. I believe with all my heart we were all bound as one, and Michael, Joanna, Beth and Matt were sensitive to it and had the "longing for home" i.e., tamales the same time we had our dinner. No coincidence; don't you agree?