Ahh, I was going through my Mom's recipe box looking for her very special (and likeable) fruitcake recipe yesterday and while I didn't find it, I had a wonderful time of smiles and tears looking at all the cards in her handwriting. Many weren't "recipies" at all but "notes" about how she made some of our family favourites. When she passed, 13 years ago my father and sister said I should be the one to take her recipes and cookbooks (and yes, expat, she had comments throughout each one) and I cherish them all.
Isn't it nice how the holidays, as hectic as they can be can bring us the greatest joy through the little things like the handwriting of a lost loved one.