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!
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!
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