Growing up in SWLA as a little kid, staying at Maw-Maw’s house was like stepping into a different dimension. Her house was small but filled with love; the heart of it all was her kitchen. Many family meals were cooked in that old kitchen and tons of memories were made, but for me, one particular one stands out and I’ve just learned that it was a tradition in many Cajun Homes.
Leaving the light above the Stove on at night. That little light was more than just a bulb, it was a beacon. No matter where you were in the house, it gave this soft, steady glow that made you feel like everything was okay. If I got up in the middle of the night, whether I was thirsty or just couldn’t sleep, the kitchen was always there, softly lit like it was waiting for me. That stove light was like a silent promise that the kitchen, and MawMaw, were always open, even in the middle of the night.
I remember waking up to the smell of fresh coffee brewing, even before the sun came up. MawMaw would already be at the stove, her silhouette framed by that same little light that had kept me company through the night. “Morning, cher,” she’d say with a smile, as if the light itself had been watching over me while she waited for the day to start.
It wasn’t until recently that I realized this was something so many Cajun families did. Leaving the stove light on wasn’t just practical, it was part of our culture, a quiet nod to the way Cajun people keep their homes open and welcoming. It’s funny how a tiny light bulb could carry so much meaning, but in MawMaw’s house, it felt like it held the weight of a whole lot of love…