My father loved creme brulee. Any type of custard dessert, really. Nilla Wafer banana pudding? Bring it on.
Daddy was near impossible to shop for. One year for Christmas, I bought him a cookbook focused on custards and made one of the recipes as my gift. I remember driving to a gas station on Christmas Day to pick up the Nilla Wafers.
Last week, my father was nearing the end of his time in hospice. We were crushing his pills and mixing them with applesauce. When he didn’t want applesauce, I picked him up vanilla pudding. He took only two bites, and we knew the end was nearing.
My father died on May 13, and I wanted to share that with you.
I wanted to let you know where I’ve been, and that I may be away from the blog sporadically. I had planned to premier my Gardening Party on the blog last week, but obviously, that plan is just on hold. My focus is on being whatever help I can be to my mother, easing my girls through the loss of their grandpa, and transitioning back into work.
The blessing in the loss of my father is that I have no regrets. While I miss him terribly, I know he is fully restored in Heaven. He has his mind back from Alzheimer’s, and his strength back. He no longer needs his much-hated oxygen. He is reunited with so many whom he loved and who proceeded him in death.
Daddy knew my love for him. We were good. And so, I am comforted in knowing he is at peace. He is with the Lord he served in a lifetime of priesthood.
When I thought of how to remember him here, I recalled this post from In Jennie’s Kitchen about the unexpected death of her husband, and the peanut butter pie she’d been meaning to make for him.
So on Memorial Day, I made creme brulee to share with my girls, his granddaughters. (I used this recipe from Alton Brown, but did one thing differently. Instead of putting the cooked custard in the fridge for two hours and then adding the sugar and browning it with a torch, I let it rest on the counter for about 20 minutes. Then, I added the sugar topping and put it under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to caramelize.)
I would encourage you to make the time you think you can’t find for your family. Share the family stories with your kids. Visit often. Have no regrets, so that when you lose someone you love, you can feel blessed.
So very sorry for your loss. What a lovely tribute. I’m writing this comment from my mother’s bedside. She fell ill unexpectedly and wasn’t expected to survive but is hanging on, thank God. I second your entreaty to make more time for your family. You truly never know. Wishing you and your family peace in this difficult time.
Adrienne – I wish you and your family well. My father fell about 2 1/2 years ago, and it can be a shockingly difficult recovery. I will have you and your mother in my prayers. I’m so glad you can be with her now.
Jennifer- I have thought of you guys so much. I love this post in honor of your father and his favorites. I also love that you mention that he knew your love for him- that has to be the best part of a life well-lived. My heart hurts for you and your family, and I wish you peace. I hope you find lots of ways to honor his life and his memory, and that it makes you smile knowing that you guys were a gift to each other.
Lydia –
Thank you so much. We were so blessed to be able to be with him day and night as he eased out of this world. He made our family and it was our privilege so serve him and make him comfortable at the end.
XOXO,
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer, I am so sorry for the loss of your daddy. I pray that God will comfort you, your mom and your girls. Yes, your daddy has been fully restored and you have assurance that becaus of what Jesus Christ did for us, you will see him again one day. Continue to take care of yourself, your mom and your girls. I pray for rest for you and I pray that God would bring the right people your way to support and help you in any ways that you may need. You are loved by the Most High. Take the time you need. In Christ’s love, Luz
Luz – Thank you so much for your prayers and kind words. They are more appreciated than you know.