In memory of Veva Alberta “Tootie” Stevenson, October 7, 1917 to May 8, 2010

The Main Ingredient

By Alberta “Berdie” Slater

I know I’ve been taught

Have your recipe at hand.

Gather your stuff,

Yet I don’t understand.

My bowls are all shiny,

The spoons long and new.

I read and I stir

Like I saw my Mom do.

My hands, like her hands,

Can form the same dough;

Or roll out the cookies,

Or shape bread to grow.

I can stand like she stood

At the table or sink.

Add a pinch of this spice,

Or her “secret,” a wink.

My size, like her size,

My shoes are the same...

And I’m the only one

That bears her same name.

Yet, with all these good things,

It seems strange and unknown.

It’s just never the same

Even plants that I’ve grown.

Then it just hit me.

Knowing what was expedient.

It won’t Ever be the same...

Cause SHE’S the main ingredient.