You Can Still Eat the Cookie
Christmas Cookies.
I love baking cookies at Christmas. As a little girl, my mom and I shared this baking time together each year. Perhaps it is that memory that makes it such a joy for me now. When I was young, it was usually cut-out sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and the most popular, whoopie pies. One year, we even split that whipped icing into two bowls and put red food coloring in one and green in the other, creating festive whoopie pies with red and green icing. And, even better memories.
One cookie that I always loved, but we didn’t bake at home, was the popular peanut blossoms. As a little girl, I called them Hershey Bud cookies. I’m not sure why we didn’t make them. But what a treat when they appeared at the celebrations of others, and I could partake. I still love them.
But here’s the thing about Hershey Bud cookies (I still prefer that name!). I was well into adulthood before I realized I could bake them any time I wanted. Until then, I thought they were “Christmas cookies.” A friend and I laughed about this at a recent holiday party. We giggled as we shared the declaration of, “What a revelation to recognize we can bake these any time we want to!!!” It was as fun as maturing and realizing we’re allowed to wear make-up and high heels.
This cookie story reminds me of an insightful article I read recently titled, “Run the Dishwasher Twice.” (I have included a link to it below).
There are things in life that we let become “rules” that we live by and don’t allow ourselves to vary. But living by those rules isn’t always a necessary and healthy habit.
I do believe having boundaries, routines, and life rules is good. As humans, we need them. But when we let our stress increase and our joy decrease because of something that just isn’t a necessary rule, then it’s time to re-think what parameters we’re using.
Asking ourselves the questions, “Is it true that ….?” or “Who said that ….?” can be a really valuable way to assess what guidelines we’re using for our life choices. And whether or not we really need to keep the rule, or ditch it.
I still only bake certain cookies at Christmas. I like holding to some of the traditions. They bring back memories and provide ways for me to experience special joys in the holiday celebrations. I don’t want to lose their magic by making them a year-round experience.
But when I want a good Hershey Bud cookie, I eat it.
Even if it’s July.
Because, you know, I’m mature now.
Link for Run the Dishwasher Twice:
https://forge.medium.com/run-the-dishwasher-twice-e24ff24def60