It was a night last week where we had a little rain. It was gloomy, and one of those nights that just felt cozy. I was making Chicken Carbonara for dinner, and garlic bread was baking in the oven. I was relaxed, and in my happy place. My kitchen. My daughter, Kenzy, walked out and said, “Momma, can I help you?” She had her little “Frozen” apron on and ready to cook! She helped put the chicken in flour, then I put it on the stove. She was such a cute little sous chef.

Frank Sinatra was playing in the background and Kenz began to set the table. As she placed each plate on the table she was singing with Frank. It melted me how she knew the words. She turned and said, “Momma, it feels like Christmas tonight.” With Frank singing and it being gloomy, I can see how she felt that. She continued to sing, and I couldn’t help but think how her great grandfather, Dwain Perry, would be so proud in this moment.

Back when I was younger, Pap would drive us around in his beautiful white Lincoln Town Car because all six of us could fit in it when we went places together as a family. I loved 97.7, pop music back in them days. (NOT anymore.) I’d ask pap to turn it to 97.7 because his music drove me nuts! He loved it. He would whistle along with Frank and tap his thumb on that brown steering wheel to the beat. I remember this like it was yesterday. “Why would you want to listen to that garbage when you can listen to the classics like Sinatra?” Pap would say. Years later, I bought him the whole Frank Sinatra CD box set for Christmas. I was so excited; it was a perfect idea! Little did I know that my pap would pass away before I could even give it to him. He passed away on Christmas morning in 2008. I was pregnant with my first born and devastated. It all happened too fast. I was in no way taking Pap’s gift back. I unwrapped it and popped in our CD player. I instantly cried. I could hear Pap whistling and just smiling away as he listened to dear old Frank. As I listened to the CD over and over, I began to fall in love with Frank. His voice, the music, the gentleness of his songs. I now knew what Pap was talking about. When I hear Sinatra, I think of my pap. I would give anything to ride around in that old white Lincoln, listen to Frank and whistle along with pap as we would drive into the sunset. To tell him how I don’t listen to that “pop garbage” anymore and how his granddaughter and great granddaughter love the sound of those classics. I can see him smiling now. His smile lit up any room.

A Simple Classic of Banana Cream Pie.
Nothing to it, and so delicious!
• 1 pack of Keebler’s mini graham cracker pie shells (Makes 6)
• 1 box if instant french vanilla pudding
• 1 1/2 cups of milk
• 1 banana
• Whipped topping

Place small slices of bananas on the bottom of prepackaged pie shells. Prep pudding with the milk, mix well, and place on top of banana. Place in the fridge to chill for an hour. When ready to serve, top with whipped topping.