Last week, a picture of my kids from 15 years ago popped up as a memory on Facebook. While I adore their current adult stage (most of the time), a wave of full-blown nostalgia swept over me. I so clearly remember their little faces as they explored the world with such awe. It led me down a little rabbit hole of memories that made me appreciate the times that we had. Time changes completely when it is measured by the growth of your children (both in body and in cynicism).
Merriam-Webster defines nostalgia as “a sad pleasure experienced in recalling what no longer exists; a wistful
or sentimental yearning for a return to, or the return of, some real or romanticized past period or some irrecoverable past condition or setting.” Sad pleasure. Bittersweet. Perhaps it is this powerful combination of sweet memory and the sad twinge of regret because it is in the past that makes us crave nostalgic moments.
For me, it is impossible to discuss nostalgia without talking about food. How many times have I searched for a recipe hoping to re-create a fl avor from childhood, or a dish linked to a fond remembrance? How often has a specifi c fl avor triggered a memory that is indelibly linked to a meal—a holiday feast, a birthday cake, a summer barbecue?
The research—because yes, there is actually research—seems to show that nostalgic feelings are linked to overall well-being, motivation and social-connectedness. Recent theory points to a restorative mechanism in which the emotion of nostalgia is a response to negative events, and provides a sort of buffer to the potential adverse psychological eff ects of the event.
In layperson’s terms: Nostalgia can be protective and even healing in the face of negativity.
This issue overfl ows with nostalgia. It shows in our cover image of campfire s’mores (which led to a weeklong recipe testing and experimentation that had my household swooning… er… swimming in sugar); in recipes from Robin Goldstein that bring back her pleasant childhood memories; in the story by Shannon Celia of her grandparents’ garden; in our discussion of Downtown Ventura and the controversy over the street closure; and even in the Flying H Wines ad on page 11 (though I personally wouldn’t want to go back to that time period!)
So much in the world has everyone a little on edge right now. Perhaps there is no better time to intentionally look back at sweet memories and maybe even make some new ones!
Until next time, friends,
Tami
