Egg Salad

We were “The Ladies,” gathered together on another spring morning to plan the annual picnic and yard sale for Madonna Heights.

As we finished the last dregs of coffee and munched on Barbara Tyree’s memorable thumbprint cookies, our discussion began in earnest.

As we each spoke of the homemade platter of food we could, would or were willing to contribute, Carolyn, just slightly older, spoke with regret.

“You are old when you need to nap after making egg salad.”

Of course, we all giggled while reassuring our treasured friend, she was not “old.” Then we unanimously voted in favor of the motion that Carolyn would welcome guests at the event rather than contribute her well loved family recipe.

Yet her words of caution have lingered and reappeared several times long after the yard sales ended and Madonna Heights fell under the wise guidance of SCO.

Since I neither enjoy nor make egg salad, I had no need to worry about naps after preparing Carolyn’s famed recipe.

But of course, there are other signposts along the curving road I follow. And possibly, it is time to acknowledge they are not all labeled egg salad.

Perhaps the inclination to have a grocery deliver rather than ride the chariot to the local vendor is a significant sign.

Or maybe, just maybe, taking a nap after making my favorite carrot cake is even more realistic.

And maybe also time to acknowledge the stark reality that time stops for no one even when you don’t make egg salad and the yard sales are merely lovely memories.