Today was a day of filling up my cup: morning coffee with a friend at a café, lunch with my mom and sister at a restaurant, and an afternoon visit with my mom at my house.

When I texted my younger brother to let him know to pick Mom up at my home, he acknowledged the request, then added, "Any cookies? 🤔" I have a habit of making cookies or other baked treats for my brother when he comes by my house to fetch my mom or to drop off something she has sent to me. It's a little thank you to him for going out of his way. So when he asked about cookies, I smiled and responded, "I'll see what I can do."

Thus began a lovely few hours of baking and cooking with my mom. It's rare for us to prepare food together in my kitchen. Usually when we cook together, it's in her kitchen, and I'm the one supporting my mom in realizing her culinary vision. Today, the choices were mine: Chewy Brownie Cookies and Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake.

It turned out to be such a pleasant way to spend time with my mom: whiling away the hours puttering about the kitchen. My mom was my able-bodied sous-chef, fetching ingredients and cooking implements that were too high for me to reach or too heavy for me to lift, helping out with various tasks, and doing dishes—so many dishes.

I mentioned to my mom that one of the first activities I return to after recuperating from a surgery or illness is baking. It is relaxing. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. It offers a way to express love—to myself and others. And it's rejuvenating, often leaving me with more energy than when I started.

Today, more importantly, baking was a way to connect with my mom.