KATE NARITA: CHILDREN'S AUTHOR
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BITS anD Pieces

Popcorn: Forever a Bittersweet Treat

3/25/2023

15 Comments

 
Popcorn used to just be well... popcorn.

Sure, I had some memories associated with it. 

When my dad was a principal, he had a movie theater popcorn machine so that kids could have free popcorn on celebration days.

One time when I visited my friend, who was a single mom of two young kids, she wanted to cook me dinner. Meanwhile, I just wanted popcorn.

Getting the call from my sons' school to pick up Corbin because his stomach hurt. Turns out he ate too much popcorn.

But none of those memories are sticky memories. They come and go like fluffy, white, cumulus cotton ball clouds, on a summer day.

Not anymore. 

Now whenever I eat popcorn, I think of one person. The six-year-old sweet, sassy, smart little girl who lived with us for six weeks.

We had an after dinner routine. First, practice reading sight words and/or naming numbers from 1-20 for ten minutes. If she could earn ten points, a point for every correct word or identified number, she could earn ten extra minutes of movie time. Boy, did she work to turn 30 minutes into 40 minutes of Disney magic.

Almost always, she chose Encanto. I can't even tell you how many times I watched Encanto in six weeks.

I lost count.

Really.

And every other night, she and I made popcorn. The old-fashioned kind with melted butter and table salt. She'd stand and watch on the stool, a safe distance from any spattering grease, as I poured the kernels into the pot. 

She and I sat on the couch, each with our own bowl, and a cloth napkin so that Tom wouldn't hyperventilate about grease stains on clothes or the couch.

After she finished one bowl, she'd always ask, "Is there more?" Of course, I made sure there always was, even if it was just a little bit.

Then, she would sing. 

Song after song until the forty minutes was up and it was time for books and bed.

Last night before Tom and I sat down to watch Shrinking, I looked at him and I said, "I want popcorn."

We looked at each other and said her name.

He looked at me and said, "Is there more?"

Popcorn has never tasted so bittersweet.

15 Comments
Amyilene link
3/25/2023 05:46:41 am

You wove this together through the thread of popcorn beautifully. The bittersweet moment came off of the page at the end....thank you.

Reply
Kate Narita link
3/25/2023 09:23:03 pm

Hi Amyilene,

Thank you for reading and thank you for your kindness.

Kate

Reply
Lakshmi
3/25/2023 05:51:44 am

Our grandchildren love popcorn. Where is the little girl now?

Reply
Kate Narita link
3/25/2023 09:23:54 pm

Hi Lakshmi,
She's back with her mom.
Kate

Reply
Kevin Hodgson link
3/25/2023 06:07:35 am

Well, popcorn and Encanto seems like a nice mix. My wife regularly makes popcorn before we, too, sit down to watch a show. I guess I like popcorn OK but I don't ever go out of my way to get some. Not sure why. I love the story you "popped" out here.
Kevin

Reply
Kate Narita link
3/25/2023 09:25:23 pm

Hi Kevin,
My husband would say the exact same thing!
Thanks for reading.
Kate

Reply
Melanie C Meehan
3/25/2023 06:59:19 am

Food and songs both evoke powerful memories and associations, and your post captures it. A powerful piece of writing, Kate-- maybe one to return to and do something with when you're ready.

Reply
Kate Narita link
3/25/2023 09:27:53 pm

Hi Melanie,
Maybe... I finally finished the mg novel I've been working on about a different family struggle. It only took me ten years to figure out what I was really writing about. Maybe with more experience in every category: life, parenting, loss, writing, I could figure this one out sooner!
Kate

Reply
Celia
3/25/2023 08:22:32 am

Oh that is so bittersweet. No wonder you haven't forgotten her and her love of popcorn.

Reply
Kate Narita link
3/25/2023 09:28:56 pm

Hi Celia,
So bittersweet. Lots of memories of her today.
Kate

Reply
Stephanie Meier
3/25/2023 08:34:45 am

I felt this bittersweet moment with you! I, too, have bittersweet memories around popcorn- it is what prompted me to click on your post. It is always amazing to me what small moments can prompt such vivid memories and feelings. Well written. I hope you got to enjoy some popcorn (and a great show!)

Reply
Kate Narita link
3/25/2023 09:31:06 pm

Hi Stephanie,
I did enjoy the popcorn and the season finale, which was a joyous celebration of life... minus the one dark/light twist at the end (depending on how you look at it).
Kate

Reply
Ona link
3/25/2023 01:04:30 pm

Oh boy. The way you took us through this slice of life and popcorn made me cry at the end. Bittersweet indeed.

Reply
Kate Narita link
3/25/2023 09:32:30 pm

Hi Ona,
Tears at the end... What a compliment. Thank you!
Kate

Reply
Tom link
4/4/2023 04:35:42 pm

The way bittersweet falls syntactically really captures all the tastes in this slice. The flavor of popcorn compared to memory - I love it!

Reply



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    Slice of Life Challenge

    My 2023 one little word goal is PLAY. So, one of the ways I'm playing is by joining in the Two Writing Teachers' Slice of Life Story Challenge. My first post will be March 1st. Happy reading!

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