How will I be remembered?

I often wonder what my family will remember about me after I’m no longer around. This isn’t a morose tale of future sorrow. Bear with me for a chuckle.

A few days ago, six text messages arrived at once. Six of my family members were having dinner in Tampa. That day, I had texted each of them a picture of a memory. I do that quite often.

Apparently, it has become something they chuckle about to each other. “Angie, did you get a picture text from Mom?” “Yes, Emily, did you?” “Grandma is looking at Facebook memories.”

During dinner, they decided to take a picture with the images on their phones I had sent them that day. Were they making fun of me? Absolutely, and I loved it! You see, I have a sense of humor. They knew they could have fun with me. I laughed out loud and showed the texts to Chuck.

Don’t tell the Attorney General, but Janet became a spammer when she managed to get all these photos to show up on her family’s phones at the same instant. (Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard)

Here is my message to Emily, Angie, Drew, Aiden, Jake, Leah, and those who were not present at the dinner: Matthew, Alecksa, Abby, and Brandon …

I know you will remember me for sharing the memories captured in pictures I’ve taken with you. Those pictures make you laugh. What great memories I share with you. Here’s the thing: those pictures captured moments we shared, which I love. Moments that made me proud. Moments that made me smile. You see, I love spending time with all of you. To you, they are just pictures; to me, they are memories that hug my heart.

Those pictures are Kodak moments that capture the best of times. I know you are all too young to understand “Kodak moments.” Kodak was way before iPhones and Androids. Google it. I find that you are all having to Google more and more about the things I talk about. Thank goodness for Google to decipher your terms as well. I still don’t understand 67. I finally figured out RIZZ.

Now here’s another thing you will never forget about me. You love my chocolate chip cookies. I’m worried that someday you will ask for the recipe. Okay, it’s time to confess. They are Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies, which can be found in the grocery store’s refrigerated case.

You love them more than the ones I make from scratch. Here’s the thing. I do my own twist on the recipe. I bake them at 375º for 15 minutes. I also sprinkle sea salt on each cookie before baking them on a baking stone, thus giving them a salty/sweet taste with a bit of crunch. They are baked in my home, so they are “homemade.” Abby, you requested my cookies for your upcoming baby shower. I think it’s time to confess in case someone asks for the recipe.

I have another confession I will make soon. My kids and grandkids know my secret, and they were surprised, actually shocked … but they love how brave I was to do it. Never say, “Never.” Stay tuned.

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.