Peach Crisp as an Antidote to Loss

You would think, since I went on about how I was sad that the Adolescent was going to be at camp all summer, that I would not be bothered with Adolescent issues right now. But he seems to have a way of having a presence in my psyche that I can't ignore. Long story short, he came home for a week and early this morning returned to camp again. And now I'm having to feel all my sad missing him feelings all over again! Just before he left I said to him that I was going to miss him. He forced himself to look sad too. But he knew that I knew that he was faking it. He then gave that up and looked at me with a mixture of pity and disdain and said "I'm not going to miss you at all". I know this to be true but, really, just fake it! And fake it better! It's for the greater good. Has he learned nothing from me all these years?! The Daughter's been home all summer. She's been busy with work and her social life but I can see that she tries to give me a little attention and time now and then, not because of her own need but because of mine. Such a good daughter!

The Daughter and the Adolescent

I do feel bad that my children have to deal with these feelings of mine that I secretly believe if I was a better parent I would be able to resolve before there was any direct effect on them. But, on the other hand, I also believe that life is about relationships and relationships are all about Love and Loss. The Hubby has been experiencing Love and Loss at Starbucks. He has developed affection for most of the staff at our local store. He knows all their names and all their stories. They know exactly what he orders before he orders it. They give him little extras to show their appreciation. One staff recently told him that he was their best customer and this gave him a warm fuzzy feeling. But one by one the Hubby's beloved staff are all leaving Starbucks to go on to other things. The Hubby has taken each announcement in stride but each new departure makes him just a little sadder. His world is a little emptier. Love and loss...it's everywhere!

Whole wheat sourdough from Cob's - photo by the Daughter

My response to all this is to surround myself with the Love part to try and counterbalance the Loss part. And what is Love but Food?! We go out for Cuban food on Thursday night with Jon and Cathy. We go to dinner at Allison and Peter's on Friday. And tonight is dinner at our home with Mary and Mike. Mary, as you know, is a vegetarian. I'm slowly coming to realize that Food Love is still possible, even without meat!

Mary, Mike, and the Hubby

The Linguine with Uncooked Tomato, Arugula, and Olive Sauce I make is good...

Fresh tomato pasta

But the Love really shines in Peach Crisp. No fancy flavourings. Simply peaches and a crispy topping. Heaven. A taste of summer in your mouth. Sounds silly but I really did feel happier eating that dessert!

Peach Crisp with vanilla ice cream

Tomorrow morning the Daughter has requested that I make pancakes for breakfast for her and her friend Charlotte who has slept over! Yes, definitely yes! The sting from Loss is fading just a tiny bit.