How does it feel to have a wonderful son? Last night I drove through a horrific rain storm to spend the night at Johns house. I could see very little and was frightened on the single lane country highways with oncoming headlights blinding me, so I got behind a semi and told Sid, Is this an example of following someone else as they jump off a cliff? But the truck driver knew what he or she was doing, with the advantage of height and better lighting, so it was a good decision on my part. Men like Chris Peck make their livings on the road, and Id follow Chris through any storm. I was feeling very inadequate as I trailed behind that eighteen wheeler! Why cant I drive with confidence like the rest of the world? But then I realized that part of the reason I couldnt really see was because about thirty pairs of headlights were right behind me! Other drivers on the highway thought I had an excellent plan. I have no hands calling and John talked with me a couple of times. I know he was worried about me, but he kept telling me it would be much better after I got over the butte. When I arrived at his house, he and my nephew Dustin were cooking me a beautiful dinner. Are you ready for this? They both gave me a big hug and then John asked, Mom, have you ever had pork belly? Well, no, I hadnt. And it didnt sound particularly appealing, truth to be told. But I was game. Since I lost Sid and traveled, my rigid vegan diet suffered, and for now, Im more focused on getting through each day than I am on what goes into my mouth. But pork belly? Well, it was Asian Pork Belly Wraps, and come to find out, pork belly is what bacon is made of. I sat at the bar, watching two chefs cook, which was amazing. John created a fabulous Asian marinate for the pork, and then he wrestled with a half frozen pork belly. I mean a huge slab of meat! He diced a small portion up, wondering aloud what hed do with the rest of it. He couldnt freeze it again after it had been thawed. While he fought with the pork belly, Dustin created a fabulous salad with a delicious and low fat dressing, all from scratch. The diced pork belly was served in butter lettuce wraps along with the salad. We ate the wraps as if they were tacos. The meat was fabulous, as in melt-in-your-mouth divine, and we all lied to ourselves that it was halfway healthful because the rest of the meal was greens. John laughingly said, Think of it as going to McDonalds and ordering a Big Mac, super-sized fries, and a diet coke. Anyway, healthful or not, it was delicious. Today John insisted on taking me to the culinary arts college for lunch. The restaurant is called Elevations, and it is ultra formal. His girlfriend Erin was our server. She was essentially in class, learning the restaurant end of being a high-end chef, so she chatted with us on the sly but had to serve us as if we were the king and queen of England. While our appetizers were being prepared, John took me on a tour of the culinary institute, which was fascinating. Erin has been a student there for a year and a half, I think, and it was my first visit because I was confined to home, taking care of my husband. I saw the cooking section, with chefs hard at work. Then he took me to the bakery, where cakes were displayed outside in the hall. They looked too perfect to be real, and I thought they were plastic. Three tiers each, beautifully decorated. Wow. When we returned to our table, the chef came out to talk with John about what he could do with all of that darned pork belly! He suggested that John make his own bacon and provided him with two recipes. Im pretty sure that the next time I visit Johns farm, Ill be treated to real, home-smoked bacon, and Im sure it will be incredible. Our lunch was absolutely amazing, and the prices were even more astounding because they are not expensive. An appetizer was, with the exception of one, five dollars, and entrees were nine dollars. I guess that dinners are even more incredible than lunches, so Im planning to take Julia there. Were going to dress up and pretend we are princesses as we nibble on incredible food. I had alone time with John. It was a really special day. As we left the restaurant, I saw tall blown-glass Christmas decorations on display. When John told me they were all made of candies and edible, I nearly fainted. They were so delicate and fragile. Beautiful! I cant imagine how the chefs created them. I had a busy day with bankers, trying to get all of Sids and my accounts in order. His name needed to be removed from all of our assets. It felt as if I were erasing him, which was very hard. But the financial experts were very kind, and I got through it. Im not done with all of it, and I dread it, but both of my sons will go in with me next week to help me make the right decisions. I talked with John over my car phone as I headed for the ridge. It was getting dark, and when I hit the butte it was raining like the dickens and below freezing, which meant I was driving on ice. This time, I had no truck to guide me, but I felt calm. I made it home safely, texted John to let him know I had made it, and got all my pets inside and fed. Then Julia and Kyle arrived. We decided to go out for Mexican food, and at the restaurant, Arlene, who is one of our Facebook friends, was our server. She gave me a big hug and told me how sorry she was about Sid. I got tears in my eyes when she said how she always felt we had found a love that most people never find. I know shes right! And even though Im very sad, she gifted me with something beautiful to hold close to my heart--that Im so very fortunate to have loved and to have been loved so deeply. When we got home, Kyle insisted on watching funny animal videos, and before I knew it, I was laughing so hard that I was nearly crying. Now Kyle is snuggled on the floor in his sleeping bag with Talili cuddled against him. Julia is reading something totally boring about Queen Elizabeth. Obviously, it isnt boring to her! She loves history and cant understand why I dont. My answer is that I already know how the story ends! Feeling weary after laughing so hard with Kyle and Julia. It is time for me to go to bed after having a difficult but very special day with people who love me. Tomorrow I will get up and remember the Winston Churchill quote that one of you posted in here. If you are going through hell, just keep going. It made me laugh because right now Im up close and personal with going through hell, and the only option I have is to just keep going. Its true for so many of us. Much love to all of you. Thank you for your prayers.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 08:59:44 +0000
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