In Memory. My Dad. My Hero.

In Memory. My Dad. My Hero.

This is the hardest blog post I’ve ever had to write. I didn’t expect to write it now. Not today. Not this week. Not this month. Not even this year. My Dad survived so many incidents and accidents I thought he was invincible. His heart it appears decided otherwise.

Dads (3)

My Dad loved flowers so thank you to all of you for filling my house with colour this week.

If you know me personally, you will more than likely know that my Dad was everything to me. I spent so much time with him and for that I am entirely grateful. I have so so many memories – good and bad, (mostly good) that if I wrote down every little thing that reminded me of him, I could fill a book or three!

Although my Dad loved food, it is always Mum who cooked. That said, I have so many memories of sharing food with my Dad. It was often not the healthiest foods, but more what you’d class as occasional or treat foods.

My earliest memory is gingerbread men. Big, hard crunchy boxed gingerbread men from the bakers on the way to work. Dad would bite the head off first. I would work my way limb by limb up to the head.

Image result for plain gingerbread menImage result for plain gingerbread menImage result for plain gingerbread menImage result for plain gingerbread menImage result for plain gingerbread men

Another memory is chocolate. My Dad always had chocolate somewhere – even now I’m sure we’ll find a box or two stashed away as we sort everything out. I’m so glad he’s recently tried my homemade chocolate and commented on it unprompted. I recall he said he was keeping the packaging. Oh my Dad! 😀

caramel photo

Chocolate Covered Caramels

 

Fish and chips, kebabs, burgers, steak, crusty French stick, sticky toffee pudding, rhubarb crumble, aniseed balls, sugared almonds, mint imperials… are all things which instantly remind me of my Dad. There’s probably loads more if I sit and think about it, but it’s still early days.

I have had the pleasure of cooking food for my Dad on numerous occasions. There was always an abundance of food and generally three courses, if not four. Recently Dad has been eating healthier and frequently opting for Mums vegetarian options. It was easy to cook for Dad. Here’s a handful of foods we’ve shared regularly.

Apple Jumble

Mixed Meze

Fruit Crumble

Banana Bread Muffins

Roasted vegetables

You know, my Dad did cook some things! Tomatoes! He loved tomatoes. He used to cook them with chunks off a block of something called ‘gravy salt’ stirring it in to get them all brown and seasoned then mopping them up with bread. Recently he’d taken to pickling beetroot. I remember Dad and me making (white bread) beetroot and cheddar sandwiches when I was younger and I guess my love of beetroot comes from there. This pickled beetroot of Dads is good! Real good. Plain and simple, but good. There’s still a big jar of it at Mums.

Dads (2)

Dads perfect beetroot

I know this post doesn’t nearly do you justice Dad, but I also know you didn’t think we should all spend so long using the computer! 😛 Thank you Dad for making me who I am. For sharing so many things with me. I love you Dad. Always.  Image result for heart emoji

 

 

 

 

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29 Comments

  • Eva 21st February 2018 at 14:24

    I am so, so sorry to hear of your loss. Your Dad sounds like he was a great man, father and husband, and will always be loved and cherished by you… I’m sure you will continue to do him proud, especially with the foodie blogs?I shall toast my beetroot and lentil lunch to him xxx

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 21st February 2018 at 15:03

      Indeed he was Eva. The best Grandad too. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and words. Ooo, you have beetroot for lunch???perfect xxx

      Reply
  • Delicious Peace of Mind 21st February 2018 at 14:57

    Dear Laurena, keep the best and the warmest memories of him always with you. Like after an amazing concert, you feel sad that experience has ended, but fill your heart with gratitude and cherish all the time you had the opportunity to be with him, to be part of his life. That way he will always be with you.. in your heart <3 Sending you warm thoughts xoxo

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 21st February 2018 at 15:09

      Awww thanks Milica, that’s lovely. It’s easy to think of him in our house… I think he did some work (diy) in almost every room! ? Thank you for your kind thoughts. Xxx

      Reply
  • gemmahussain 21st February 2018 at 15:32

    Oh this just made me cry! Yes dad I have a lot to thankyou for too. Thankyou for making this amazing woman, and giving me the most perfect friend anyone could wish for!!!
    Laurena your dad will always be proud of you! So keep doing what you are doing!!! ❤

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 21st February 2018 at 15:35

      Gemma… Now you’ve got me crying (again!) That’s so sweet. Thank you?Love you loads? ps… Do you like my flowers!?

      Reply
  • gemmahussain 21st February 2018 at 15:39

    I do indeed!! ?

    Reply
  • koolkosherkitchen 21st February 2018 at 16:33

    My most heartfelt condolences to you, dear friend!

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 21st February 2018 at 16:53

      Thank you Dolly.

      Reply
      • koolkosherkitchen 21st February 2018 at 16:57

        My heart goes out to you! I lost my dad two years ago, and there hasn’t been a minute without missing him! In fact, I started this blog in his memory, cooking his favorite foods. Be strong, dear friend!

        Reply
        • Life Diet Health 21st February 2018 at 18:03

          Dolly that’s a lovely tribute to him. I’m praying it gets easier with time… So many unexpected reminders everywhere though! Hugs to you for your memories. x

          Reply
          • koolkosherkitchen 21st February 2018 at 19:40

            Hugs tight back to you, darling, and you need all the hugs you can get! It doesn’t get easier, but you learn to live with pain. Many blessings to you!

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  • Megala 21st February 2018 at 17:21

    So sorry for the loss, but nobody can take him away from you as he is always with you, in your thoughts forever !

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 21st February 2018 at 18:52

      Thank you Megala. You’re right, he will always be in my thoughts and there are so many things to remind me of him. Xxx

      Reply
  • S 21st February 2018 at 19:06

    Sorry to read of your loss, dear.

    I wish comfort, unity and sabr for you and family. Stay positive, let’s remember him in our prayers.

    May your dad rest in peace and be in a better place. Ameen

    Sent with salaams and well wishes

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 21st February 2018 at 21:10

      JazakAllahu khairun Sumayya. Thank you for taking the time to offer some comfort to us. Unity is most definitely needed and inshaAllah we will find it. Xxx

      Reply
  • TurksWhoEat 22nd February 2018 at 20:03

    I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s very special that you and your Dad shared a love of food, that creates memories that will last forever.

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 22nd February 2018 at 21:03

      Thank you so much. Yes, so many memories of Dad and food☺I’m on a hunt for those gingerbread men now!

      Reply
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  • Angie | Fiesta Friday 10th March 2018 at 04:06

    I’m so sorry for your loss, Laurena. My deepest condolences to you and your entire family. I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Reading a part about your dad’s love for chocolate brought a smile to my face as it made me remember my own dad. Sending you hugs and kisses, dear friend.

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 10th March 2018 at 09:10

      Thank you so much Angie. It’s a very difficult time for us all because he was such a great man. I will be speaking at the funeral this week (Thursday 15th) and then hopefully we will all be able to start to move on. I must get back to making chocolate too! Dad told me to keep making it! ☺ Thanks again for your thoughts xxx

      Reply
      • Angie | Fiesta Friday 10th March 2018 at 14:31

        Will you alright cohosting on the 16th? I can take you off if you want. Just let me know.

        Reply
        • Life Diet Health 10th March 2018 at 15:38

          Yes, it’s fine.. I told you after the 15th because of that!? I didn’t expect you to say 16th though but it will give me something to occupy myself with! xxx

          Reply
          • Angie | Fiesta Friday 10th March 2018 at 17:46

            Alright then, it’ll be you and Alex @ Turks Who Eat. If you need anything, I’ll be around. Thanks so much, Laurena! ?

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