The road ends, but the journey continues...

Ice Cream and Remembering Dad

So, this evening, after a fine dinner of Lemon Baked Spicy Salmon, rice, beets and peppers, I indulged in the last of the Tillamook Coffee Almond Fudge ice cream.

After my second helping – there was just a little bit left in the carton – I thought at first my prolonged craving was induced by the Chardonnay that accompanied the previously mentioned fine dinner.

But a nagging suspicion that there was more to it than that persisted.

Of course.

Today marks the third anniversary of Dad’s passing.

He loved ice cream.

Stories & family jokes abound about his doling out tiny ‘balls’ of the stuff for others while heaping mounds of frozen lusciousness into his own bowl…

Plus, when he was thrust into the role of widower and had nothing much to eat in the house – he always had a freezer full of ice cream. He prided himself in eating his milk in the morning via a bowl of ice cream for breakfast.

I miss you, Dad.

36 Comments

  1. Annika Perry

    Laura, tender funny story about your father and his craving for ice-cream! A freezer full of the stuff is quite something and I’m smiling how he used to have it for breakfast! Why not!

    • laura bruno lilly

      Try it – you might like it!
      Thanks for commenting, Annika.

  2. Quirky Girl

    I’m fairly certain that second serving of ice cream was well-enjoyed by your dad as he joined you in indulging. 😉

    • laura bruno lilly

      Mmmm, what an extra special treat!
      Thanks for stopping by.

  3. Jennie Fitzkee

    Such a wonderful memory of your father, Laura. Lovely story! Glad you had seconds!

    • laura bruno lilly

      Me, too!
      😉

  4. Catherine de Seton

    I don’t remember what my Dad loved…I was in my 20s when he departed this world. I’m very fond of ice cream as well, and although there is none right now in the freezer, there might be soon. Instead, if I have any time on my outings – i.e. I miss my connecting bus at New Lynn, I pop into Station Mart and get ice cream on a stick and then eat it whilst I wait. And often if I can’t decide what to eat when out, I’ll get some on the fly…

    • laura bruno lilly

      Well…it is a great way to get your calcium, so I consider it a ‘healthy’ treat!
      🙂
      So sorry for your loss – as a young woman just beginning a new life stage…

      • Catherine de Seton

        the loss of my parents in my early 20s was not unexpected, I’m one of those special babies (or I was) when your parents don’t realise it’s possible to have another. My father was already in his 50s and Mum was sailing very close to 50, when I was born. There was a 25 years gap between me and the eldest!
        however, I wasn’t living in NZ when my parents died, rather I had gone overseas to live with another sibling still much older than me…apparently because I would have a better life; than with ailing parents. I did have a better life, but that was because I needed better guidance than parents stuck in the child rearing model of 1/4 century ago 🙂

        • laura bruno lilly

          Quite an age difference resulting in a very different growing up for you than as compared to the rest of your siblings. Bringing with it unique life-lesson experiences, no doubt.
          Not to mention a unique life situation for your folks, too!
          Thanks for commenting, Catherine.

  5. Ally Bean

    What a delightful memory of your father. It’s the quirkiness of people that make them more lovable, imo.

    • laura bruno lilly

      Absolutely!

  6. Anne

    Dads are such special people ~ and we love to remember the quirky things about them. And really, how different is his morning ice-cream to my morning strawberries and yoghurt? ~ hugs~

    • laura bruno lilly

      Ah, yes, you ‘get it’ Anne!
      Thank you for stopping by.

  7. Mariss Stevens

    Sending thoughts across the oceans. Hold on to the sweet memories

    • laura bruno lilly

      Thank you, Mariss.

  8. tierneycreates

    It’s been like 11 years since my father passed and there are things that still bring back sweet memories constantly. Glad you got to enjoy some ice cream in honor of your Dad.

    • laura bruno lilly

      It truly is the simple things…

  9. Marty

    A man of my own heart. In other words, dessert for breakfast. 🙂

  10. Roseanne

    Hi Laura! What wonderful memories you have of your dad and his love of ice cream. Both my parents shared his love, to the point I thought they may just lick their bowls sometimes. My mom would often have an ice cream cone for dinner instead of making something just for herself. Since she lived to be 99, I have to say that worked well for her. {{Hugs}} It was a lovely post to share and it brought a smile to my face. ~smile~ Roseanne

    • laura bruno lilly

      99 and able to enjoy a treat is inspiring.
      Sweet memories, eh?

  11. Brigid Gallagher

    What a lovely way to remember your dear Dad. I share his love of ice cream. Your dinner sounds rather divine.

    • laura bruno lilly

      It must be the Chardonnay elevated it up a few notches!
      Ice cream – yum.

  12. Jane Chesebrough

    Ice cream in the morning…hm, it would give me all day to burn it off. Great way of remembering, like he was giving you a tap to remind you. Sounded delicious.

    • laura bruno lilly

      Yeah, I get it about the aftereffects of such a treat. In Dad’s case, he needed to gain weight, so it served many purposes all with the lick of the spoon!

  13. Laura

    Great way to honor Dad, Laura! Thanks for sharing one of your memories about him! 🙂

    • laura bruno lilly

      How fun to think something as delightful as a bowl of ice cream can be enjoyed without guilt since it’s a type of ‘memorial’.
      🙂

  14. Janis

    So funny! My father really developed a sweet tooth late in life. His caregiver angels kept him supplied with cookies and ice cream, which made him so happy. What a lovely way to remember your dad!

    • laura bruno lilly

      They are caregiver angels, aren’t they?
      Have a scoop, today, in memory of them all!

      • Janis

        Splendid idea!

  15. Jill

    ❤️Lovely tribute to your father, Laura.

    • laura bruno lilly

      Thanks, Jill.

  16. L. Marie

    Oh Laura. What a touching post. Time really flies. What a lovely way to remember your dad.
    Sounds like you had a great meal.

    • laura bruno lilly

      Yum, yes we did…in taste and memories!

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