Fall begins. I love the fall. The leaves change to colors of ruby red, burgundy, yellow, orange and light brown. It's the painting of Mother Nature. As leaves fall to the ground they make a colorful carpet. Pumpkin spice appears everywhere; in coffee flavors and tasty treats. Apple cider and apple flavor is another fall favorite. A few years ago I had apple cider flavored donuts that were delicious with a cold glass of apple cider.
Candy corn makes an appearance for a Halloween treat. It seems there are many different flavors anymore. I enjoy this tasty sweet confection but only the original which is orange, white and yellow. Now a days I can only tolerate twenty pieces at one time.
Each year I purchase a bag, count out twenty pieces then sit alone to eat them as memories of my childhood, that I have filed in the storage cabinet of my mind surfaces.
My first introduction to Candy Corn was at age three. My Uncle Harold brought me a bag one Sunday afternoon when he and my aunt came to my grandparents for a visit. (At the time I was being raised by my mother's parents.) I never seen Candy Corn previously, but it resembled the corn feed my grandfather used to feed the chickens. My grandmother took the bag of candy from me. She told me I could have it during the upcoming week. For a few days I forgot about the bag of candy but recalled one morning as I accompanied my grandfather on his rounds as he fed the chickens.
After lunch I asked my grandmother if I could have my bag of candy. She hesitated but reluctantly opened the cupboard where it was hidden and put some into a bowl.
I took the bowl and went into the living room and sat on the couch with Fluffy, my yellow and white cat. I took one piece of the candy, savoring the sweetness. Then it dawned on me how the shape reminded me of chicken feed. I threw the bowl up in the air and pieces of candy fell to the ground. I got down on all fours and began to eat the candy like a chicken eating feed. I had not noticed that Fluffy got off the couch and began to lick the candy. As I played chicken, my Aunt Julia walked into the room as well as my grandmother. Both asked what I was doing and I said playing chicken. I had no idea I was eating pieces of candy off the floor that had been licked by the house cat. My aunt and grandmother stifled their laughter at my antics. My aunt picked me up and said time for your nap little peep; you had enough to eat.
I was probably eleven years old when my Aunt Julia told me this story. To this day it is one of my favorite childhood stories. After hearing the tale of Candy Corn from that next October forward I would get some Candy Corn, go into a secluded area and enjoy the treat and think about my childhood memory. Tears always would run down my cheeks these days as this story unfolds within my head as I remember each of these three relatives fondly. I was an adult in my forties when I lost my uncle and aunt; a child when I lost grandma.
Of course I have wonderful memories of other relatives in my life, but it seems fall brings out the memory of these three. I do have a wonderful Christmas memory of the same uncle, but that is for December; for some reason seeing a man in suspenders brings memories of my grandfather.
Until next time....think back to your own childhood and how certain items brings a happy memory to you.
