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Last night, I ate a chocolate-covered pomegranate and I couldn’t help but think about the man who showed me how to enjoy life’s sweet treats, so many years ago. This prompt is perfect to finally pay homage to a man who has been so dear to me.
My father-in-law was an incredible man, and more a father to me than my real father ever was. He welcomed me into his family with open arms, and even took my side once in a while, when we were newlyweds and just started to explore the joys, and responsibilities of marriage.
Every night after dinner my father-in-law got up and went to the buffet in the dining room. He turned the key to open one of the drawers, and in slow motion, he picked up a piece of chocolate and put it in his mouth. When he turned around he looked like a little boy, he smiled and his blue eyes sparkled.
He never chewed the chocolate, he let it melt in his mouth instead -enjoyed the small bite for as long as he could. He never took more than just one piece. I didn’t understand and one day I asked him about it.
He often talked about WWII. He had been a soldier and had spent some time as a prisoner of war in a POW camp far away.
He had to work hard but was treated fairly. The men had enough to eat. “I missed my coffee and a piece of cake on Sunday,” he often said but it didn’t sound like a complaint, just a fact.
My father-in-law always had a sweet tooth, and he enjoyed the luxury of chocolate and cakes again after the war when he returned home.
“The piece of chocolate in the evening before I go to bed, shows me how good my life is,” he explained and I listened to his words but didn’t fully understand. Many years later, when I got older and life tested us a bit, it all of a sudden made sense.
What once has been taken from you – might it be a piece of chocolate or a special treat you don’t need to survive but enjoy – becomes extra special when you get it back. What once was consumed mindlessly, has now deep meaning, and it will stay like that until the day you die.
One night my father-in-law got up, got his chocolate, and on his way back to the living room he collapsed in the hallway. He had a massive heart attack and passed away that night. He was 78 years old. He died with a piece of chocolate in his mouth, and I always thought that was the perfect ending.
My Father-in-law died many years ago, but the way he enjoyed one little piece of chocolate in the evening is something I never forgot. I have eaten a mountain of chocolate in my lifetime, but I don’t think I ever appreciated any of it the way he enjoyed just one piece of his favorite milk chocolate bar.
This prompt was extra special to me, and I hope answering it paid a small tribute to a very special man.
I wish one day I will be able to treasure all the small things in life the way he did. There is so much to learn and I have just begun. Perhaps aging is not so bad after all IF I can trade youth for a little bit of wisdom.
So to answer today’s question. I think nobody can create a dream chocolate bar, it’s up to us to make it special in the way we enjoy it. As so often, it’s our mindset that makes dreams possible.
Lovely.
Gwen.
Thanks.
Bridget
There is something special about a bar of good milk chocolate and I am not disciplined enough to eat one square.
I have RA, a rather painful autoimmune disorder IF and When I eat wrong. Dairy, is one of the food groups that I had to give up to be pain free. I miss my chocolate and when I cheat on my lifestyle (which I do) then I really cherish the sensation of the taste, if this makes any sense.
That is bad luck. Taste is important and comforting, I realised that when I had chemotherapy and everything tasted awful!
Awesome
Wow 😀
As a chocolate binge eater myself, I have never understood how people can take just a tiny piece and leave it at that. My wife does that too, and let’s say it’s one of the few areas where we completely fail to understand each other. Your beautiful story made me see, at least to some extent. Your post made me think about what I miss from my home country myself… Herring probably. I wonder if that works with chocolate?
Moderation is the key, but as a former chocolate binge eater, I do understand 🙂
What a heartfelt tribute to your father-in-law! It’s amazing how such simple acts can hold such deep meaning. Cherishing the small moments and finding joy in the little things is truly a gift. Your story reminds us all to savor life’s sweet moments, just like your father-in-law did with his evening chocolate.
The key for a happy life, to cherish the little things and don’t sweat the big stuff.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for commenting.
Sweet tribute! I love chocolate (but even at 72 years old it still makes me get acne pimples). 😊
LOL thanks for the laugh
A lovely tribute
I hoped to accomplish that. My father-in-law was special.
Indeed! Lovely share!
Thank you so much.
You’re welcome!
A beautiful story and tribute to your father-in-law. I know he would have had so many stories to tell; stories that were well worth listening to.
He did tell his stories and we listened, even when he told the same ones over and over. May we never have to live through what that generation had to face and fight.
Beautiful memories! I have often let dark chocolate melt in my mouth, but your father-in-law inspires me to take it further, to smile, close my eyes and do nothing else.
Awe, what a sweet comment. Enjoying the moment, we all need to do it more often.
<3
My mom died peacefully in her sleep, if she had to go while awake a piece of chocolate melting in her mouth would have been the way for her to go. What a great tribute to your FIL. He sounds like he was a very wise man and it would have been an honor to know him.
I would agree. If I can’t die while making love, give me a piece of chocolate instead. 🙂
What a wonderfully evocative recall Bridget. A good way to live and a good way to die!
Maybe this is why nice hotels leave a piece of chocolate on your pillow at night. Your FIL knew how to live and he knew a proper way to pass away. 💖
Actually, the chocolate on the pillow is Gary Grant’s fault 🙂 I wish we all could pass away with a piece of chocolate in our mouth, it sounds like a good plan.
I ‘m with you. If I have to go, I can think of fewer better ways of going than dying, while I’m enjoying a piece of chocolate. “He died with a piece of chocolate in his mouth, and I always thought that was perfect.”
I love chocolate, but don’t eat it anymore because I watch my sugar intake. It’s a beautiful taste most of us find heavenly. 🙂
A wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you for reading.
A fascinating response to a simple question. Such a great story of appreciation and gratitude. The pleasures of life are to be savoured, not simply devoured in haste. Happy Wednesday. Allan
It made me think of him. Actually I think of him quite often, he was simple man with great wisdom. Well educated, he went after his dreams at an age where most give up. He had a great impact on my life.
Wisdom filled in every way. I love it.
I am glad you like it.