G-Money's sugar cookies!

Here’s what I love: G-Money’s sugar cookies.

On a recent trip to my in-law’s house, my mother-in-law informed us that one of the treats available in the kitchen was homemade sugar cookies.

“G-Money’s recipe!” she said.

“G-Money” is the pet name given to my husband’s great-grandmother Ruby. Was it because she gave everyone money? Did she appear to have a lot of money? Did she wear a lot of green? I have no idea where the name came from, but I think it is beyond cute. I actually know very little about her. I’m sure I could find out more from my mother-in-law since G-Money was her own father’s mother.

But, one thing I do know is that she made the best sugar cookies EVER. I do not even like sugar cookies. I’m one of those people who feel like it’s not dessert if it’s not chocolate. Generally sugar cookies are too bland for me or too chewy or too boring.

Not these sugar cookies.

I decided to taste one just to be nice.

Suddenly, a strange combination of soft and crunchy, salty and sweet was melting in my mouth. I’m sure much of it had to do with the fact that my mother-in-law made them just right—not baking them too long or too short. But, I’ll say it again, I am not normally a sugar-cookie fan. These were different. I have no idea what was different about them, but they probably have some magical ingredient in them that sends your mouth back in time to when food was rich and delicious and real—made by hand instead of machine.

We got to take a few of these delectable goodies home with us and I packed one in my daughter’s school lunch. Gobbling up a broken crumb as I carefully tucked the cookie in with her sandwich and carrots, I thought about a woman named G-Money. I really know nothing about her.

However, I am guessing that she had no idea that years and years later, her great-great granddaughter would have one of her special cookies in her Monday lunch. Maybe she didn’t even make up this recipe, but her name is attached to it in our family nonetheless. And a fourth generation is partaking of a scrumptious legacy.

I wonder what will be associated with my name. Maybe my grandkids will call me Gran-E (“E” for Elisabeth of course) or something cute like that. Maybe my daughter’s granddaughter’s daughter will gobble up some yummy treat I have yet to invent. Maybe they’ll even blow the dust off a book authored by their very own great-great grandmother (although, I highly doubt there will be actual hard-copy books by then…looking at a paper book in the future will be like us looking at a wash-board or butter churn or cassette player today).

One thing is for certain: there is something valuable that I definitely want passed down for generations. It’s not a story I made up, but I would be honored to have my name attached to it so that future family members can be sure to partake of this life-giving “bread.” It’s a story worth sharing. Better than sugar cookies, books, or worldly acclaim.

I doubt that G-Money had to do any campaigning to ensure that her sugar cookie recipe was passed down. The goodness of the recipe spoke for itself. She just consistently made them and her children and grandchildren tasted them.

If I consistently spend time in the Word and with the Author, and if I ask Him to help me live out His love, then my children and grandchildren will “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8) And whether my name is attached to it or not, that is a legacy worth leaving.