In the South, a grieving family is most comforted by food, especially those dishes that come with extra butter, extra cheese, homemade dumplings, homemade cakes, and those with rich creamy chocolate and whipped cream on top. As my father so politely reminded me, you don't gain weight during such events.
Actually, most of you have unfortunately experienced a southern funeral. As soon as a concerned neighbor, family member, or church member hears that your loved one has passed on they immediately begin cooking - or making arrangements to help someone prepare a meal for you. Chad's grandfather passed away on Saturday morning around 5:00. We arrived in East Bend around 5:00 Saturday evening and immediately the eating began! Now, many of you know that Chad and I are making our best attempt in years to make a complete lifestyle change - exercise and dietary changes. Home cooked meals and abundant desserts are not on our current meal plan! That said, we did pretty good. I admit we had the occasional serving of mac-n-cheese and one night I was limited to fried chicken or fried chicken wings. We made it through the long weekend unscathed. Maybe my dad was right - you don't gain weight at times like these!
Since Chad and I couldn't have the sweets, we enjoyed watching Payton get his first taste of chocolate pie with whipped cream and butterscotch pie with whipped cream. I have made the decision that he cannot have cake, icing, or ice cream prior to his first birthday. I want his 1st birthday to be his first taste. However, after seeing the knife, completely covered in chocolate and whipped cream, I agreed that Payton should get a lick....and lick he did! Just like his mother or father would have done, he quickly poked his little tongue out and licked, licked, licked. It was a mess but well worth it! In a time of grief and sadness, there are few things that can help heal the heart more than a precious baby....especially a precious baby covered in whipped cream!
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