Mom's divinity was heavenly

Homemade Christmas candies are much appreciated and delightfully anticipated.

Mom made absolutely "melt-in-your-mouth" caramels and heavenly divinity. Her divinity was as fluffy and softly white as a summer's cloud. The taste was truly divine.

Each Christmas, family and friends coveted the small container of divinity she gifted to them during the holiday season.

One year, mom hauled out her monstrously heavy mixer and glass bowls. It was such a cumbersome piece of equipment that she stored it much of the year. She collected her ingredients and began her preparations.

Making her divinity was time consuming and sometimes a bit of a challenge.

After cooking the ingredients, time came to use the mixer to turn the smooth liquid into a tasty fluff. As she turned the dial to begin mixing, 100s of cockroaches skittered through the openings and began plopping into the candy. (Looked a bit like pecan pieces!)

We watched horrified as this gruesome scene unfolded right before our youthful eyes. The divinity was ruined.

My uncle and mom's other helpers began to hunt frantically. We smashed and squashed for several minutes. Finally, all became very quiet. Then came the uncontrollable, helpless laughter.

This is just one of many memories. Memories carry us gently through each new holiday season.

Tawni is a former teacher at Linton-Stockton High School. She can be reached by e-mail at tawniprudhomme@gmail.com .