Letters to Heaven: Nellie Marie

"And in the end, we were all just humans, drunk on the idea that love, only love, could heal our brokenness." --Christopher Poindexter

Dear Nana,

One of my happiest childhood memories involves you. I remember spending the night with you and in the morning when I got up way too early for your liking, you only grumbled a little and came into the kitchen with me to fix me breakfast. I was four or five and you cooked your famous Bread n' Eggs for me! It made me feel so special because I knew you cooked it often but I wasn't around much, so it was the first time you'd ever cooked it for me. I felt included, like I, too, was officially part of the "Brown" Clan. Being a Brown was a lifeline for me throughout my often tumultuous childhood and Bread 'n Eggs became a comfort food I've made often since moving away from home, especially during times when I was homesick and missing feeling truly connected to anything.

I've saved all of the letters you sent me over the years while I was away. It meant so much that you wrote to me frequently and kept me feeling like I had a place where I belonged and people whom I mattered to. You also taught me the value of a letter and the power behind such a small, but thoughtful gesture. I miss you, but I'd like to think where you are now, you are finally with Grandpa Charlie and maybe once in awhile Mr. Stevie Ray Vaughn (a musician I know you were very fond of) gives the two of you a mini-concert! The thought makes me smile! Thank you for reminding me that while I may have carried Schaefer behind my name for many years  now, I am and always will be a Brown, too. It matters!

                                                                            Love,
                                                                             Your Granddaughter Amy

Bread n' Eggs--Amy Style

*Melt about 2 Tbsp. of butter in a non-stick frying pan (I use Land o' Lakes soft spread with Canola)
*Break three slices of wheat bread into small pieces and put them in the pan, coating them with the melted butter and lightly toast them (I use Nature's Own Honey Wheat).
*Crack two eggs onto the bread pieces and stir with the edge of the spatula, mixing the eggs into the bread and coating it well (do NOT scramble the eggs in advance...it won't taste right)
*Cook until the eggs are no longer "wet".
*Salt and pepper them once plated (I put a little extra salt on the rim of my plate to rub the pieces in).

Note: I always drink a glass of sweet tea (with lots of ice) with my Bread 'n Eggs! Bon Appetit!

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