Sensory memories: juicy pear jelly bellies


 

My mother was a fascinating woman, with a broad exposure to the world resulting from extensive and frequent travel. She knew all about various cultures, cuisines, and delicacies. In her later years, she had a series of strokes that made it difficult to remember and communicate. Her world shrank dramatically.
I don't recall when she developed a liking for "jelly bellies" - those small, flavorful jelly beans. At some point, I started bringing them to her regularly, usually in the bag of multi-flavor assortments. If her supply ran low, she would remind me, "I need more of those - what are they? - bellies." That was all she remembered. So I would bring her more.
She quickly developed a favorite, though. She was always delighted to come across the light green ones with dark green spots among the assortment. I had already developed a preference for the "juicy pear" variety myself, so it was interesting that both of us discovered that liking separately! I started adding more and more of that variety to the mix I brought for her, and then eventually bought only the juicy pears.
For my birthday this year, my children bought me my own supply of "juicy pear bellies," and I have enjoyed snacking on them. Every time I hold one in my hand, and every time I put it in my mouth to taste the sweet tartness, I think of my Mother.
What an unexpected blessing a tiny thing like a jelly bean can be! I #GiveThanks for simple things that trigger powerful memories. Sometimes it's smell, or a taste, or a song, or a birdsong, or particular book or even a word or phrase. But for me, this personal linkage to my departed mother is a special and sacred thing.
PS - did you know a single Jelly Belly has only 4 calories? 😃

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