It’s been five years since my Dad died. His was a rather sudden departure, and although it was traumatic for those who were with him, most of us agree that it was a pretty good way to die. He was comfortable in his living room chair, talking with Mom… and then he wasn’t.
It hasn’t been every year that we’ve celebrated his memory but somehow it seemed fitting to do it in 2020. Earlier in the week I had asked Mom if she wanted to do something special to help her get through the day. It was a couple days later that she said she’d thought of something we could do. She wanted us to remember Dad as we ate a bowl of his favorite ice cream – maple nut.
Dad ate a lot of ice cream. Dad shared a lot of ice cream with others. His ice cream legacy will be the story of one of his grandchildren finding him late at night, sitting on the steps inside the garage (where the freezer was), eating ice cream from the pail. Of course, she sat down and had some with him.
So we shared the plan with family members and asked them to join us, wherever they were, at a convenient time for them. “Get some maple nut ice cream, and remember Grandpa Owen as you eat it. Take a picture and post it.” Some were able to do it, and others who couldn’t will be able to enjoy the pictures. I’m 100% sure that Dad would have liked to be remembered this way.
Death is strange. Memories are a gift.
I Just Have to Say... 
So sweet and a great way to be remembered by all his loved ones. Ruth
One of the sweetest posts I’ve read in a long time. And for what it’s worth, we don’t get to choose, but if it’s the time, that’s the way to go. Such wonderful pictures.
Haha! Maple nut is very sweet, and kind of hard to find too. Thanks for reading.
Thanks for sharing.. The love of ice cream must be in the genes!❤ Memories are best when they are shared.
Did you play the video at the end? It was so Dad!
Very touching post. Memories of those who have gone before us need to be kept alive. You have done that.
So right, remembering is important. Thanks for reading.