Losing a child might be one of the most difficult situations families face. The loss of a child of any age can devastate families and it may take years for the healing process to complete. A group of three ladies, all of whom have lost a child, decided that a good way to remember their children who have passed and at the same time preserve precious memories for family and friends, lies in the development of a special cookbook. Jacquie Pourroy, Vicki Waddington and Becky Kallevig have teamed up to produce Angel Food, a community cookbook project that will contain favorite recipes of beloved children who have passed on. The ladies invite anyone who has lost a child of any age to participate in this project by contributing a recipe or recipes to the cookbook, along with a brief memory of that child or the story behind the favorite recipe.
“We want this book full of love,” says Pourroy. “Sharing meals, cooking together and finding favorite recipes say ‘family’. After parents lose a child, they may find it difficult to face the food memories at first, but this can become a way of celebrating memories. Traditions develop around food. Kids help to cook in the kitchen when they are small, and after they grow up and move away, they still call home to find out how to make something.”
She continues, “We want to put together a cookbook containing the favorite recipes of these children who are no longer with us. This is a way of healing and a way of preserving precious moments. Just talking about food brings back memories.”
Another member of the team, Vicki Waddington, points out that those who have lost children are a community of silent sufferers. Angel Food will give them a voice. “We often aren’t given permission by society to talk about our children who have passed,” she remarks. “This cookbook offers a way to counteract that. We have to be able to say our children’s names and we have to be able to tell stories. This cookbook is a fun way to do this and it will have personal meaning to every parent who contributes a recipe or recipes.”
The ladies ask anyone who has lost a child of any age to participate in this project. The ladies will accept all recipes, from appetizers to desserts. Along with each recipe, parents can write a brief memory that will appear with the recipe. “This theme of favorite recipes with memories surrounding that recipe and that child keeps the focus on the child and makes a great memory book,” says Pourroy. “This is an opportunity for all parents to participate.”
She concludes, “The cookbook is for families but it is also for friends. Kids have a second family of friends and we invite those friends to contribute stories and recipes as well.”
To submit a recipe, people may call Jacquie Pourroy, 488-4990; Becky Kallevig, 488-5455, or Vicki Waddington, 433-3151 for the form used to produce the book. Please obtain the form or forms and return them by Jan. 15, 2012 to meet the publication deadline.
Editor’s note: Vicki Waddington, Lonsdale Methodist Church pastor, Sidney, invites all interested people to attend a candlelight memorial service, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Lonsdale United Methodist Church, Sidney, 205 3rd Ave. SE. The service will honor and celebrate the lives of those children who have passed on.
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