Although my mom was not big into baking (even though Baker was her maiden name!), she did make the best chocolate chip cookies - those cookies played a vital role in one of the most important life lessons she ever passed on to me. I was in third grade and having issues with both a bullying boy and a grouchy bus driver. There was hardly a day I didn't come home from school crying because of one or the other. In her widsom, she explained that maybe they were acting out because they were unhappy and asked me what we could do to help bring some happiness into their lives. Of course, my 8 year old self must have stared at her as if she had six eyes and three noses... She suggested that we make chocolate chip cookies to bring to them. So we did. Sure enough, mom was right. They were both surprised by this and it served as a turning point in my interactions with both of them. The bully left me alone and I was one of the few kids to ever get along with the bus driver. Eight years later, right before my high school graduation, my bus driver stopped to give me a hug; and with a tear in her eye thanked me for those cookies so long ago... As a mother, I can only hope that I occasionally have moments inspired enough to teach my ladies that little bits of kindness (and some home-baking) can go a long way.

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