thoughts of warm hugs

shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister

Cindy was great at giving hugs. During one of her memorial services, her friend Rod talked about how the quality of her hugs was one of Cindy's special traits. I often think back to Rod's "hug eulogy" with much fondness and appreciation.

Something that our daughter Ava has been doing lately reminded me of Cindy's hugs, and how important a hug can be. A few months ago, Ava started saying, "My hugs are getting low," as a way of letting us know that she wanted a hug. So naturally, we would respond by giving her a good, long hug.

Ava, like her Tita Cyn, is really good at giving hugs. Just this evening while we were eating dinner, there was a moment when she became quiet and looked a little sad. When I asked if she was OK or if she needed something, she paused for a second, took a breath, glanced downward, and quietly said, "My hugs are getting low."

So I told her, "Well, let's fix that," and we shared a nice, long, warm hug.

thoughts of oatmeal cookies

shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister

Today our family went to an end of the season party for Cyn Cyn's softball team. As we walked into the home of the family who so graciously hosted the party, there were yummy scents coming from the kitchen.

I soon discovered that they were baking cookies. At the time, I thought they were oatmeal raisin cookies, but I later discovered that they were oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. As I snacked on more than my share of cookies throughout the afternoon, I couldn't stop thinking of Cindy.

She enjoyed baking, and I have several memories of the times when she made oatmeal raisin cookies from scratch. Oatmeal raisin cookies always remind me of Cyn. Although I've recently come to realize that I enjoy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies just a little bit more. I don't think Cindy would mind.