As the holiday season approaches I always look forward to the big meals. Gathering around the table with the great food my Nana prepares. She puts so much time and energy into the meal and it is always so delicious. My Nana is one of the biggest cheerleaders for our family. She hosts holidays, plans family parties, and drives hours to see all of her grandkids. However, when she walks into the kitchen that means it is time to get down to business.
She came to Southeast, Kansas to help my family and I bake cinnamon rolls for a fundraiser. I was so excited to show her that I can cook just like her and bring smiles to so many people. It was time to start rolling the dough and bring the cinnamon rolls to life. I floured the surface and placed my dough on the table. I got the dough smothered in flour and started to roll. However, it was still not going well, the dough was sticking to everything.
Next thing I know she comes over and could tell that I was struggling. I was waiting for her to tell me to find a new job because I was not doing a good job. But she told me that I was doing my best and this dough was not working. I continued to preserve and she came back and I told her the rolls didn’t look very good and that I was sorry. But instead of her telling me what I should have done differently, she said “You’re being too hard on yourself, these look great!” It was at this moment I thought about how baking perfection is nearly impossible.
We all go through life wanting every moment to be perfect. Each individual cinnamon roll to be exactly the same. The Thanksgiving Dinner to be right on time. My hair needs to look perfect. This outfit isn’t working. The plan fell apart. These are all the things that are wanted to be perfect, but in reality may not always be perfect. The moments that are perfect are forgotten but the imperfections create memories.
Thank you,
Maggie Chandler – Kansas FFA Treasurer 2025-2026