Tomorrow would have been my grandfather’s birthday. Maybe. He was one of those kids taken from Indian reservations in the early 1900’s to thin them out. He and his sister were taken and to be placed with a lovely couple in Arkansas. (our great-grandparents) They were thrilled at having both a boy and girl and were told a story of poverty and birth mother dying. They arrived at the train station to find their son, locked in a small building, covered in filth and hungry. His sister was long gone on that train. The woman who took her was the worker who suggested the name Joy to my great-grandparents. They never stopped thinking of their little girl, Joy, and her name as been handed down each generation since. My grandfather named my mother Joy, and mom named my sister Joy, and I gave my daughter the middle name of Joy.
Today would have been my grandfather’s anniversary to my grandmother. That I am certain of. They were married 53 years when she passed suddenly. Not a day went by that he didn’t think of her. Even in his scattered thoughts while suffering from dementia, he thought he was talking to her. Maybe that was worth it.
He died three years ago today. On his anniversary, as I was about to make a cake with sprinkles for the alzheimers ward to share. He was found and we were called. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of him. It might be when we remember fishing trips, or junk auctions, or silly practical jokes. We also laugh about his fondness for food. He loved pittsburg hotlinks ( another fire setting adventure for Joy. This time a microwave was involved) He hated garlic with a passion. He swore his stove didn’t work right after my aunt cooked with it.
He also loved peanut butter cookies. He liked them better than any chocolate and I have a recipe that was one of his favorites. I’ll make this and remember him. His birth, his life with my grandmother, and his passing. Wish he was here to celebrate with us.
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
- 1 Cup of sugar
- 1 Cup of Peanut Butter
- 1 egg
Mix well and roll into balls. Mash slightly with a fork. Bake at 350º for 12 minutes.
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010, 1:25 am | 
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March 2, 2010 at 12:27 pm
That is so sad how they separated your grandfather and his sister. I like how the name Joy was handed down. I never realized peanut butter cookies were so simple to make.
March 21, 2010 at 9:55 pm
I made this for church and everyone loved them. I have also made these for work and everyone raves about them and wants to know when I bringing more in. Thanks for the awesome recipe.