It has become a tradition to prepare my daughters favorite meal for her birthday. For a long time it was chicken and dumplings. Those were the growing up years. She is now making that for herself. The food has transitioned as has our lives. There were many years she was living her life apart from me (as it should be) working , raising and taking care of her family, and becoming the talented, creative, cherished daughter she is now.
Her birthday was last week but the dinner had to be postponed and rescheduled for last night. I shopped. Soft shell crab is a seasonal delicacy. My friends in Oregon can't quite figure out what soft shell crab is. The crab is purchased live and cleaned by the fish monger. With the meal I wanted to use morel mushrooms, another delicacy, that is seasonal. Now I know my friends in Oregon will know what morels are! I had to buy the mushrooms dried and then I reconstituted them. This year I made them as part of a pasta sauce. I bought cupcakes from the "Cupcake Bakery" that is famous--of coarse for its cupcakes. Oh! the salad was sliced beets, orange sections, and goats cheese. All together a meal to be proud
My daughter works at a salon a few blocks from my apartment. She came right after work. There is a feeling in the pit of my stomach that happens with an occasion such as this. The times spent, one on one, lessen as a child gets older.
But a birthday dinner is one I can count on to be private and filled with love and lots of laughter.
She loved and devoured the meal. She took home a care package of the few leftovers. When I went into the kitchen to clean up I noticed that the cupcake had been reduced to just the partial cake minus the frosting. Just like she did as a kid. Some things never change.
2 comments:
I love this story Mom... It makes me cry. That was a very special birthday indeed!! I love you and thank you for reposting!
That was a very special birthday indeed! As they always have been... Makes me cry. Thank you Mom for re-posting. I love you!
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