What I Wish I Knew Before My Grandparents Passed (And How I’m Making Sure My Kids Won’t Say the Same)

They say hindsight is 20/20. And when it comes to family recipes, I learned that lesson too late.

I never wrote down Grandpa’s roast chicken instructions. I never asked Grandma the story behind her famous coconut cake. I thought I had time.

And then I didn’t.

What I wish I’d known is this:

• Recipes are more than instructions.

• They’re history.

• They’re love.

• They’re a roadmap back to the people we miss most.

If you’ve ever opened a kitchen drawer and found a grease-stained, handwritten recipe card and suddenly felt a lump in your throat—you know what I mean.

🕯️ I Thought I’d Remember It All

I watched my grandmother cook every Sunday. But I never asked why she used two types of paprika, or where she learned to roll dumplings that way. I figured I’d remember.

Memory is a fragile thing.

Without a photo, a voice memo, or even just a note in the margins, those stories fade faster than we expect. And once a person is gone, so much goes with them—including the smallest, sweetest things like the exact way they kneaded bread.

💬 I Wish I’d Asked These 5 Simple Questions:

Want to preserve your own family recipes and the people behind them? Start by asking your elders:

1. “Where did this recipe come from?”

2. “Was this something you made on special occasions?”

3. “Did anyone teach you how to make it?”

4. “Have you ever changed anything about it?”

5. “What’s your favorite memory of this dish?”

Then write it down. Record them if they’re willing. Take photos. Scan the card. Make the food together.

Trust me: one day you’ll be so glad you did.

🌳 What I’m Doing Differently Now

I found OurRecipeTree because I didn’t want my kids to say the same thing I did: “I wish I had asked.”

Now, every time we make something special—Grandpa’s chili, my mom’s banana bread, my own Thanksgiving stuffing—I document it.

I upload the story, the recipe, and a few memory photos to OurRecipeTree.
I invite my siblings to add their favorites too.
We’re building a living legacy—not just for us, but for our kids, and their kids, too.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about connection.
And it’s free to start.

💛 If You’re Lucky Enough to Still Have a Grandparent—Ask Now.

Don’t wait until “someday.”

Ask them what they loved to make. Ask what they loved to eat. Ask who taught them. Ask why.

📸 Snap a photo while they stir.
📝 Scan the handwritten card.
🎙️ Record the story in their voice.

And when you’re ready to preserve it for everyone, forever—OurRecipeTree is here to help.

Tag someone who still has time to ask. Or start your own Recipe Tree today.
It’s free to join and save unlimited recipes—with stories, photos, and video.
Paid memberships unlock full recipe trees and print-your-own family cookbooks.

🔗 Click here to start saving the food stories that matter.

#FoodIsFamily #PreserveTradition #SaveNonna #RecipeLegacy #FamilyHeirloom #OurRecipeTree #WhatINeverAsked #CookingWithGrandma

CONTRIBUTED BY:

Jane Berthiaume, a dedicated collaborator of OurRecipeTree.com, has always been passionate about preserving family legacies through recipes. With years of experience, she helps bring this mission to life on a unique platform that showcases photos, videos, and the heartfelt stories behind each dish. As a longtime contributor to the OurRecipeTree.com blog, Jane shares how her deep connection to home was sustained through recipes and stories, even while living in various locations. As an experienced energy healer, she understands the importance of food as medicine, offering nourishment for both body and soul in more ways than one.