This photo was taken over a year ago, when my daughter was just a wee one. I was sifting through the recipe folder, looking for a recipe to post and finding none, I came across this photo. So much has happened in this year. Our small business has grown and we have celebrated birthdays and cried over the passing of my beloved Grandpa. I want everyone who comes across this to be happy in knowing that love is such an infinite force. It cannot be contained, bottled or canned. I spent two weeks in Georgia with my grandma who had just lost her partner of 65 years. I am so amazed by her strength and her foresight. She was prepared to lose her husband, I wasn’t prepared to lose the man who had stepped in as my father for the past 30 years.
When my grandparents still lived in NYC, they took me everywhere with them. I went on countless road trips from NYC to Georgia. I remember my grandmother always making more food than we could eat and my grandfather always impeccably dressed. He was a proud man and he was always loving, affectionate and proud of me. I was their first grandchild and the only grandchild for ten years. My father being their only child, they welcomed me, an unexpected gift as their daughter. As I write this, the love and positive example that he showed me is engraved permanently in my heart and my soul.
Like my grandfather, I am quiet, choosy even with the folks that I share my life with. However, “I love you” should never be left unsaid. I am grateful that I have the loving memories of the times that I spent with my grandpa. He could always make me laugh. He didn’t miss much and often had colorful observations to share.
As you read this, you must know that love is a powerful choice and it feels so good to have it in your life. If you are out there seeking it, stop, for it is first found within. Everything is already there, just open your eyes. If you are going through a hard time, if there are troubles in your midst, remember to love. Give love freely in kindness to others and receive love through forgiveness.
I am just sharing with you a portion of my journey because I have found that love always wins, the spirit lives on and we are all magnificent beings with an amazing capacity for love.
I know more about Grandpa George through my wife’s eyes, than I do on my own accord. I’ve only met him a handful of times, but he has affected my life exponentially. He was raised in Southern Georgia, during the days a black man didn’t need to experience. His principles: family. He doesn’t need anything else; well, maybe, fishing and gardening. Whether he was in Georgia, in New York City or back home after retirement, family is always his priority. He taught my wife that men should provide for their family, always be there for your relatives and nurture the creation.
He knows farming like it is first grade math. He always kept a garden no matter what climate he resided. When I tasted his crop, my experience of vegetables was transformed. Vegetables so good, you could eat them plain. But why do that, when his wife can add them to a dish and make everything around them better…the same way he affects other people around him, the same way he affects me.
My wife is his first granddaughter and she adores him. At age 10, my wife’s father decided not to be an active part of her life anymore. Grandpa George stepped in and became that father figure for her. He showered her with love, support, time and adoration. He never missed a birthday or an important accomplishment in my wife’s life.
He is who I asked for her hand in marriage (thanks for saying yes). I believe he is proud of me, because I promised to love my wife as much as he loves his granddaughter.
One of my wife’s favorite Grandpa George acts: He’ll fill up the car’s tank the night before his wife has errands to run or when it falls below half a tank. Of course I am reminded of this standard whenever I fail to meet my wife’s needs before she knows she is in need or when she sees the Christmas lights that light up on my dashboard every time I start the car. I’m learning and thankful to have such a standard to be judged by.
I am sad I will not be able to see you anymore, to shake your hand or see the light in my wife’s eyes when she sees you. Thank you for raising my wife to love me and share your wisdom with me. Be at ease while you’re separated from Grandma Pearl, I will be here for her.
Anyway, on a positive note. We are still making vegan cheese, our children are still healthy and my mom is still awesome.
There are a couple of updates I am going to add, like other stores we are currently in, what new services we are offering and just some all around house cleaning. Things were getting a little dusty around here.
In the meantime; I found the cutest vegan couple: http://www.meettheshannons.net/ Please check them out! In the spirit of Julie and Julia, they are veganizing the Betty Crocker cookbook!
Speaking of veganizing. I have veganized many of her recipes, but I am so unofficial about it…lol
This is just a ploy to get you to ignore the fact that this is not a recipe post. Don’t worry, we didn’t run out of vegan recipes that will make your inner thighs touch (unfortunately I know this as fact). This month went by so quickly. Where does the time go?
The Mercy For Animals’ 2nd annual Celebrating Compassion Gala was amazing! This has been such a hectic holiday season and we prepped ourselves for this event, however it’s been a while and we don’t get out much…together. I had so much fun being around grown ups, dressing up, serving our cheese, taking pictures, hanging with friends (Kevin & Chelsea) and spending time with my Silver Fox!
As much as I love and have embraced the vegan lifestyle, I certainly ain’t no snob about it. My best friend is not a vegan nor does she plan to be any time soon. We’ve been friends so long that meat does not come between our love and respect for each other. I love my grandparents totally and completely and being meat eaters for over eighty years they eat what I give them (the only time they eat vegan) as their precious granddaughter when I visit. They think I’m cute but they certainly are not changing their meat eating ways even for me. They also respect my choices and see with their own eyes my four completely healthy vegan children. So when I come across a blogger who eats meat, I don’t immediately turn away, especially if we have common interests.
My husband and I can measure our lives in one of many ways. Recently our blackberries have become the gauge. There was life before our blackberry phones which was devoid of excitement and without purpose and life after the blackberry which trumps our bebes.
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