Words to live by
  • HOME
  • About
  • Contact

Good to the Last Bite

3/7/2014

10 Comments

 
Picture
Slice of Life 7/31

My 88 year old Dad recently moved to a continuing care community.  This was after a serious fall which probably should have, and almost did, kill him.  But the man has an amazing spirit and a strong will to live.  And a twinkle in his eye.  So he amazed us all, doctors and nurses included, and is living in his own apartment, quite independently. (But thankfully minus a car.)

Lately, though, he’s been calling with some odd questions.  He’s been very obsessed with making an ice box cake for another resident.  If you’ve never had an ice box cake, I recommend it. They’re quite easy to make and consist of two ingredients. Famous Chocolate Wafers and whipped cream- preferably the real stuff and not Cool Whip.  You layer these ingredients into a log shape, cover with the remaining whipped cream and refrigerate overnight. The result is heavenly.

Dad has now called twice for advice on making the iced box cake. The first time, I drove on up and made it in front of him.  The second time, not too long after, he was trying it himself and had questions about the whipping cream.  I commented that he certainly was eating a lot of iced box cake these days, and he again mentioned the resident who had never tried it, but now liked it.

Later in the week I called Dad and he uncharacteristically hurried me off the phone because he was leaving for dinner with my brother. (It was about 4:45.) I received a text from my brother that he was on wingman duty, and later a report that my dear old Dad had gotten to first base with an 85 year old lady named Fran.

When Dad called me (again uncharacteristic, as I am usually the one who phones him) the next day, I asked him how his dinner was. He guiltily responded “Why? What have you heard?”  He then proceeded to tell me that he would need a car.  “You can’t date without a car.” He was like a young boy, trying to get me to take the bait so he could tell me all about his pursuits.  Of course, I let him. 

Friends have asked me if my Dad dating someone besides my Mom, with whom he was happily married for 63 years, would bother me.  I say no.  Mom was the love of his life and I feel sorry for any lady that tries to fill her shoes.   But if Fran can keep that twinkle going for a few more years, I just may make her another icebox cake!

 


10 Comments
Jackie
3/6/2014 11:48:55 pm

What a sweet post...and not just because it has that yummy picture of an ice box cake. Your dad sounds like a special guy...and I can just see him making that perfect ice box cake...and now I know for whom.... So glad he still has that twinkle in his eyes. Jackie http://familytrove.blogspot.com/

Reply
The Purple Lady link
3/7/2014 12:27:19 am

I've never heard of icebox cake until now, but man alive am I going to try making one. That sounds divine! And I loved your story about your dad.

Reply
Mary
3/7/2014 12:41:49 am

Love it!

Reply
Emily
3/7/2014 02:20:09 am

what a great story!! Can you imagine what his kitchen looked like after making the cake???

Reply
Caroline
3/7/2014 04:45:10 am

Your Dad is such an amazing guy. He's a real example to us all to live life to the fullest. Good for him!

Reply
Jane
3/7/2014 05:16:35 am

I can tell your Dad is young at heart and with a new interest in his life . . . I have not had that ice box cake in years. Several years back I was looking for those deep chocolate wafer cookies that are needed to make the cake - out of curiosity as so many other old-time cookies have gone off the shelves.

Reply
Robin link
3/7/2014 09:18:20 am

What a great story! I think we all want our parents to be happy and keep that eye twinkle. It's nice that it is working out for your dad and it seems to be making you smile too!

Reply
Terje
3/7/2014 07:19:30 pm

Wow. Your dad sets a good example of living fully even when old. Plus one is never too old to learn. I would like to try make the cake now.

Reply
Lorna
3/9/2014 10:35:00 am

Love this!

Reply
Karen
3/10/2014 12:29:56 pm

A wonderful story! Love it.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Author

    Julie - Former writer who dropped her pen

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Blogs I like

    Scattered Thoughts

    As I See It

    Walking the Dog

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
✕