Forgotten Cookies

Forgotten Cookies

the scene, a boy and his mother
the kitchen of a loving home
on this day there is bonding and learning
a recipe for cookies to make for the family
the mixing of ingredients
dropping the dough onto a baking sheet
the anticipation as the boy watches
the cookies expanding through the oven glass
the treats removed and allowed to cool
*
I'm a clumsy boy
nine or ten years old
i pick up the cookie sheet and
spill the cookies on the floor
*
I am so upset by my mistake
tears quickly surface
but my mother's gentle voice
a voice of acceptance and grace
"it's okay. let's pick them up
dust them off
no one will be the wiser"
*
to my tender heart
a mother has spoken love
she has taught me that mistakes are part of life
that failure is not forever
that redemption is available
messes can be cleaned up
the damaged is salvageable
*
and no one was the wiser
the cookies were consumed
as if they were culinary perfection
no one knew of the error or the tears
only the outcome of tastiness
*
Something special that day
a smile between mother and son
a secret shared
while the cookies might have been called "Forgotten"
the lesson and the memory
indelible