Happiness comes alive with Tracy!

Wouldn’t it be great to go to a restaurant and order a “cup of happiness?” Perhaps we’d be happy all the time or maybe it would be so commonplace that we would stop recognizing and enjoying it. I wonder…. I have the feeling that life provides the right “happiness menu items” if we’re willing to accept and enjoy them.

My oldest child – a daughter, Tracy, was born with congenital heart disease and other issues, impacting her physical health and learning abilities. She didn’t have what we would call a normal life, but even so, life’s menu options included cups of happiness in different forms for her. Several of them impacted me. Let me tell you about one.

I was working in town on the telephone for an investment company and had only 30 minutes for lunch. Going out wasn’t really an option due to the time allotted and more importantly, I wasn’t making enough for that kind of extravagance. There were only two real options, bring lunch from home or go without. I chose the former, and had no idea that my circumstance would bring such happiness to Tracy. She absolutely loved going to the store with my wife and purchasing the items needed for my lunch, but that was only the first cup of happiness.

Simple, but substantial

The second was in its actual preparation. My little girl, she was actually in her teens, simply loved preparing my meal each day. Her face would light up with fulfillment and so much anticipation that I would enjoy what she had prepared. When I’d get home the first thing she’d ask was how I enjoyed lunch. Such a simple service, but its effects were profound for both of us. Because she was happy, so was I and two lives were changed.

What can I get for you? Happiness is found everywhere, in cafes, at home, in our families, and in our hearts. Bon appetite!

This is where it all happened.

OK, this isn’t about oysters, but it is about the ocean, sort of. My story happened on an ocean liner and includes one of my favorite topics – dessert. Remember, I’m a “life is short, so eat dessert first” kind of guy. But, as much as I thrive on desserts, this is really about great memories. My wife, Jerry, and I were on a cruise in the Caribbean with a group of family and friends. These people have been around me enough to know of my proclivity (the dictionary said I was using it correctly) for desserts, specifically and food in general.

This was a few years ago as I'm certain you can tell. I truly look better next to her.

All right, this may be a little revealing – every morning on the ship I would go and check the dinner menu and consistent with my reputation, I’d start with the dessert offerings first. (If you’re not an “eat dessert first” person, well … I’m sorry. Maybe you don’t know the thrill of anticipation for that final tantalizing offering.) After examining the choices, I would decide what I want and then have the pleasure of looking forward to it all day. At home things are slightly different. There are two choices – take it or leave it.

I can almost taste it!

The flames are out - disappointing

Love it!

Well, this particular night there were four desserts on the menu and they all looked wonderful to me: cherries jubilee, a Napoleon, chocolate mousse, and I don’t remember the fourth. One of our couples was celebrating a wedding anniversary, so we special ordered a cake for the occasion as well.

We're at the back of the table - oh the memories.

For some unexplained reason our waiter decided that each evening I should be the first person to order, no matter what meal course we were on. We had a wonderful relationship; I’d order, he’d tell me there was something better, and then he’d bring me what he wanted me to have no matter what I wanted. Anyway, that night was French night, 3 or 4 days into the trip. Following our entrees, he came to me for my dessert order. I said, “I want one of each of the desserts.” His pupils got big for just a moment and then left without taking any other orders. We already had the cake at the table. Our group commented on how strange that was and wondered if something was wrong. We waited and waited, getting really concerned as the dining room emptied. Suddenly, there he was at the back of the room carrying a large tray that looked like it was on fire and behind him were three other waiters, each his replica.  

I can’t help laughing even now. When they got to us, we discovered he had arranged for each of the eight of us to have all the desserts – five in total. I was in heaven, but had a tough time getting it all down as I tried to alter the laws of physics. We laughed and ate for quite a while longer. Well, maybe you can see why this is called the Soulcookie Café. We focus on treats, those that taste good and those that enliven the spirit and give vitality.  I hope you’re looking forward to the unfolding of our menu items. Bon appetite!