By the time you read this, I’ll be in the air on my way home from Chris’ sister’s wedding in Chicago. It was really lovely to spend the weekend celebrating a very happy event on a weekend during which many are grieving for those lost ten years ago.

I was really torn about whether to post anything related to the 10th anniversary of 9/11 but in the end didn’t really feel it was right to let the day go without mentioning it. It was one of those “where you when?”/ before & after kind of events, and many people are still dealing with the pain, anger and fear a decade later.

Growing up in northern New Jersey, many of us had parents, friends and relatives who worked in the city. I was 15—a sophomore in high school—and was in English class when the news came over the loud speaker.

I still remember the feeling of starting to black out as the realization of what was happening sank in. As the day continued to unfold, I remember feeling so helpless. No one knew what could happen next. There’s a lot from that day I’ve blocked out—other things I remember very clearly.

One thing I kind of laugh about though is that fact that when I got home from school, my mom started pulling out ingredients to bake cookies. We made chocolate-and-peanut butter chip cookies, to be specific.

These days, when I need a little comfort, I usually make a giant pot of soup, but there really is nothing like making cookies or other treats with your nearest and dearest.

Do you have any go-to comfort recipes?