Mustard Soup -by Suzie Daggett
After an excellent hamburger, fries and soup lunch with my mother-in-law, mom, dad, son, daughter, husband and myself, my dad did a slightly crazy thing. He observed the ketchup bottle on the table and noted, “I know what that is, but I don’t know what this is” - pointing to the yellow mustard. He had finished his clam chowder soup and decided to make a new dish – mustard soup. In shocked wonder, we watched as he poured the mustard in his already consumed soup bowl, and in delight, feasted on the yellow mush.
Dad had Stage 5 Alzheimer’s, meaning he experienced significant confusion. As his family, our job was to love him as he was and not make him wrong, even as we cringed with the radical idea of mustard soup. His face showed sweet pleasure while our faces were slightly sour.
He progressed to the end stage within a year. He died from complications of Alzheimer’s the day our family left on a trip to Spain. I had everything organized for the trip, not knowing Dad was close to death. Yet, we decided to leave. Mom was lovingly surrounded by family and Dad was finally in peace. As travelers keen on seeing new territory, both Mom and Dad would have been unhappy if we did not follow our plans. It was sad to get on the plane knowing our lives had changed with my sweet, kind dad gone.
A week later, in the beauty of the Pyrenees on a still blue-sky day, our traveling family created a memorial altar for Dad. Natural treasures of flowers, leaves and rocks were placed on a granite rock as we shared our love for him with tears and stories. He replied with a strong whoosh of wind saying he was with us. Today, when wind comes from out of nowhere, I fondly remember Dad, saying, “Hi, Pops” and thanking him for his valuable life teachings— while remembering his mustard soup adventure.
Suzie Daggett is an award-winning author of The Pink Door ~ Mom’s Journey to the Other Side, and the author of two other books: From Ego to Soul ~ Discover what your Soul needs and what your Ego wants, and PEARLS ~ 52 Contemplative Insights. www.suziedaggett.com
