What People Remember

I heard from Mom that Wally De Young's mom died recently. Her obituary was detailed and personal ("Longer than Dad's!" Mom said.) I can imagine it being written by committee, with input from all of her nine children and their families.

Grandma was such an extraordinary and influential cook, in the good old-fashion way of home cooks who don't use recipes or measure ingredients, that most of her children and many of her grandchildren have become accomplished home cooks themselves... One of the most amazing abilities she had was that all the dishes she made came together at the same time. She never had one dish drying out while one still had 15 minutes to cook; a true art. There is some question as to whether she knew how to cook for less than 30 people, yet she always did so with grace and poise.

That's a lady after my own heart!

Anyway, Wally was my eighth grade boyfriend, which meant that we passed notes during class and pretended to ignore each other on the playground. After about thirty years of non-communication, we recently became reacquainted, so I sent him a little condolence note when I heard about his mom. He emailed me this morning:

Julie,

Thanks so much for the kind note. I'm so sorry to have heard of your
father's passing - I had no idea. But I certainly know what you've been
going through and my thoughts are with you too. I remember your Dad
because he was the judge for our 8th grade school science fair and he
chose me for 1st place! My 15 minutes of fame and he was responsible!

Lots of warm hugs to you and yours!

Xoxoxo,
-Wally

Another memory that helps keep Dad alive in our hearts.